Mitch McConnell, the Senate Republican leader, experienced another pause episode while addressing reporters, marking the second occurrence in slightly over a month. 

During a press event in Covington, Kentucky, the 81-year-old politician halted for more than 30 seconds when questioned about his intention to run for re-election in 2026. 

Although his aides tried to prompt him, it took several additional moments for McConnell to regain his composure. Eventually, he responded to two more questions, which needed to be reiterated by his staff. McConnell made no statements regarding his health and departed with his aides.

Following the incident, a spokesperson stated, “Leader McConnell felt momentarily lightheaded and paused during his press conference today.” Subsequently, a member of his staff informed CBS Newsthat the senator “feels fine” but “will be consulting a physician prior to his next event.”

This episode of verbal hesitation came after McConnell’s initial instance at the US Capitol in Washington, D.C., on July 26, where he paused mid-sentence for around 20 seconds before his fellow Republican senators led him away after trying and failing to get his attention. Upon his return, he assured reporters that he was “fine” and had experienced a moment of feeling “lightheaded.”

It’s worth noting that McConnell had previously been hospitalized for a week due to a concussion and a fractured rib following a fall outside a Washington-area hotel in March. After that hospitalization, he was transferred to a rehabilitation facility and did not return to the Senate until mid-April.

When asked by NBC News about McConnell’s apparent freeze Wednesday, President Joe Biden stated that he would “try to get in touch with him later this afternoon.”

“Mitch is a friend, as you know — not a joke. … I know people don’t believe that the case, but we have disagreements politically, but he’s a good friend,” Biden said.