Mitch McConnell, 84, was filmed appearing to freeze and stare blankly for more than 12 seconds during a Senate Agriculture Committee meeting after returning from hospitalization on June 14. He was wheeled into the hearing and later cast a hesitant "aye" that helped the Farm Bill pass the committee 12–11. The footage has renewed concerns about his health — including slowed speech, a thinner appearance and a bruise — although Dr. Brian Monahan cleared McConnell of seizure or stroke in 2023 and met with him again this week.
Mitch McConnell Appears to Freeze During Senate Committee Hearing, Then Casts Decisive Vote
An aide whispers to U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell on Thursday. / Jonathan Ernst / REUTERS
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, 84, was captured on video appearing to freeze and stare blankly for more than 12 seconds during a Senate Agriculture Committee meeting on the Farm Bill after returning to Capitol Hill following a June 14 hospitalization.
Footage distributed by Scripps News Group shows McConnell being wheeled into the hearing and seated beside Senator John Hoeven (R-N.D.). As another person speaks and Hoeven fidgets with a pencil, the senator slowly lowers his eyes and holds a vacant expression before looking up again.
Republican Mitch McConnell is seen freezing and staring blankly during a Senate vote. / Scripps News Group
Earlier in 2023, McConnell experienced two similar on-camera pauses; one incident involved a silence of more than 30 seconds at a July news conference. At that time Dr. Brian Monahan, the Attending Physician of the U.S. Congress, said there was "no evidence" of a seizure disorder or stroke and noted McConnell was recovering from a trip-and-fall at a Washington hotel in March 2023.
On Thursday, McConnell also appeared confused briefly when called on to vote to advance the Farm Bill. A clip shows Senator Hoeven leaning toward McConnell and saying "no," while an aide and Chairman John Boozman — seated nearby — instructed him to vote "aye." McConnell ultimately repeated "aye" in a hoarse voice and tentatively raised a finger to register his vote. A Hoeven spokesperson later told The New York Post that Hoeven had initially thought the vote was to overrule the chair and then realized it was on final passage.
Dr. Brian Monahan was filmed on Capitol Hill. / X
McConnell's hesitant vote helped the Farm Bill pass the committee on a party-line, 12–11 vote. He left the meeting shortly after casting his vote; Boozman later praised McConnell's effort, saying he had "made a special effort to really get back this week in order to vote, help advance the bill." McConnell's official X post following the vote said, "As a member of the Agriculture Committee since my first day in the United States Senate, I was proud to vote yes on the Farm Bill on behalf of the hardworking farm families across Kentucky," and included a photo of him shaking hands with Boozman.
The senator's return and these new images have renewed public concern about his health. Observers and reporters noted slowed speech, a thinner appearance and a dark bruise on his left hand. The Daily Beast reported it contacted representatives for both Hoeven and McConnell for comment.
Dr. Monahan was filmed entering McConnell's office on Thursday for a visit lasting roughly 40 minutes; when asked about the meeting he declined to comment, saying, "I have nothing to say." As McConnell exited the Senate, cameras captured him being wheeled backward into an elevator; he remained silent but flashed a peace sign while escorted by staffers.
Sources: Video distributed by Scripps News Group; statements reported by The New York Post and The Daily Beast.
Help us improve.
