The US Senate Republican chief, Mitch McConnell, appeared to freeze mid-sentence and stare into area for round 20 seconds throughout a press convention.

The 81-year-old approached the rostrum for his weekly press convention and started talking concerning the annual defence funding invoice earlier than showing to lose his prepare of thought and trailing off with a drawn-out “uh”.

He then appeared to stare vacantly into area for round 20 seconds, earlier than his Republican colleagues grabbed his elbows and requested if he wished to return to his workplace.

He didn’t reply however slowly walked again to his workplace with an aide and the senator for Wyoming, John Barrasso.

Mr McConnell was out of the Senate – the higher chamber of Congress – for nearly six weeks earlier this yr after he fell and hit his head after a dinner occasion at a lodge.

He was in hospital for a number of days and his officer later mentioned he suffered a concussion and fractured a rib.

His speech has sounded extra halting in latest weeks, prompting questions on his well being.

Mr McConnell returned to the press convention 12 minutes later to take questions and mentioned he was “fine”.

When requested if he’s nonetheless capable of do his job, he mentioned: “Yeah.”

Mr McConnell’s workplace declined to say whether or not he was seen by a health care provider after the episode.

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Colleagues ‘proceed to be involved’

After the press convention, Mr Barrasso instructed reporters he “wanted to make sure everything was fine” and so walked Mr McConnell down the corridor to his workplace.

He mentioned he has been involved since Mr McConnell was injured earlier this yr, including “and I continue to be concerned.”

Later on Wednesday Mr McConnell once more instructed reporters he was high-quality and mentioned President Joe Biden had known as him.

“The president called to check up on me, and I told him I got sandbagged,” Mr McConnell joked, referring to a quote from Mr Biden after he tripped over a sandbag and fell whereas onstage on the US Air Force Academy commencement in June.

Trips and falls

Mr McConnell is the longest-serving Senate occasion chief and was first elected to the Senate in 1984.

He had polio in his childhood and has lengthy acknowledged some issue as an grownup in climbing stairs.

In addition to his fall in March he additionally tripped and fell 4 years in the past at his residence in Kentucky, inflicting a shoulder fracture that required surgical procedure.

Many of the highest figures in Washington are aged, with the common age within the Senate above 64 and Mr Biden operating for re-election at 80.