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WASHINGTON, July 26 (Reuters) - Top U.S. Senate Republican Mitch McConnell froze up for about 21 seconds while speaking to reporters on Wednesday, walking away only to return 12 minutes later to say he was "fine."
The 81-year-old Kentucky lawmaker began a regular scheduled press conference on Wednesday by talking about bipartisan cooperation on a massive defense funding bill only to freeze up for 21 seconds, standing still and staring straight ahead before his colleagues leaned in to ask if he was well.
"Are you OK, Mitch? Anything else you want to say or should we just go back to your office?" Senator John Barrasso asked McConnell, the longest-serving Senate party leader in history, before McConnell turned and walked away with the help of Barrasso, a physician.
McConnell, the minority leader, rejoined the press conference about 12 minutes later, saying, "I'm fine" and answering reporters' questions on other topics.