During a routine weekly Republican leadership news conference on Wednesday afternoon, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell experienced a health incident that caused him to stop speaking suddenly. As he was delivering his opening remarks about an annual defense policy bill, McConnell appeared to freeze, then fell silent and was subsequently escorted away by his colleagues.

McConnell, a respected Republican senator from Kentucky, had been addressing the media when the incident occurred. Concerned colleagues immediately checked on him, and Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming, a top McConnell deputy with a medical background, swiftly guided him away from the cameras and reporters.