Speaker 1 (00:00):
The Senate’s top Republican Mitch McConnell addressed questions about his health today, playing down concerns over transparency, including from a few members of his own party, saying he plans to complete his term. Ryan Nobles has the story.
Ryan Nobles (00:15):
Tonight after two freezing episodes in less than two months.
Speaker 3 (00:19):
All right, I’m sorry, you all, we’re going to need a minute.
Ryan Nobles (00:20):
Senate Republican leader, Mitch McConnell, insisting there’s no reason for him to step down.
Mitch McConnell (00:25):
I’m going to finish my term as leader and I’m going to finish my Senate term.
Ryan Nobles (00:29):
Pressed about his health, the 81-year-old saying his doctor’s report said everything.
Mitch McConnell (00:33):
What Dr. Monahan’s report addressed was concerns people might have, if some things that happened to me did happen. Well, they didn’t. I think he pretty well covered the subject.
Ryan Nobles (00:46):
The Capitol attending physician examined McConnell, writing quote, “There’s no evidence that you have a seizure disorder or that you’ve experienced a stroke, TIA or movement disorder such as Parkinson’s disease.”
Speaker 5 (00:59):
How are you feeling?
Ryan Nobles (01:00):
The doctor attributed the spells to dehydration and a concussion McConnell suffered back in March when he fell and also fractured a rib. Tonight, most Senate Republicans are satisfied.
Thom Tillis (01:11):
I think his health is sound and its leadership is as good as it’s been in the eight and a half years I’ve been here.
Ryan Nobles (01:16):
But not all Republicans are on board, including McConnell’s Kentucky colleague Rand Paul, who’s an ophthalmologist.
Rand Paul (01:22):
Well, I practiced medicine for 25 years and it doesn’t look like dehydration to me. It looks like a focal neurologic event.
Ryan Nobles (01:28):
Paul’s saying he’s not questioning McConnell’s ability to handle his job. Age now a major political issue. Some Democrats have called on 90-year-old Senator Dianne Feinstein to resign, and voters also have concerns about 80-year-old President Biden. A recent poll finding 77% of Americans, including 69% of Democrats think the President is too old to serve another term.
Speaker 8 (01:51):
And in a closed door lunch with his fellow Republicans, McConnell talked about his health but took no questions. His caucus remains behind him as their leader.