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By Amanda Castro
Associate News Editor
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Senate Republican Mitch McConnell stumbled and fell in the Russell Senate Office Building basement Thursday after a reporter pressed him on whether he supports ICE “kidnapping” working people off the streets.
The exchange ended with McConnell, 83, waving to the cameras and appearing uninjured.
Upon contacting McConnell's office, a representative told Newsweek that he is "all good" and continued with his Senate duties, including casting votes on the shutdown at 1:30 p.m.
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Why It Matters
The collapse is the latest in a series of health-related incidents involving Senator McConnell, who has faced scrutiny following several falls and episodes of freezing during press events. McConnell's health has become a focal point in ongoing debates about the age and fitness of senior elected officials. His stature as the longest-serving Senate party leader and a pivotal figure within the Republican Party amplifies the implications of each public health episode, raising questions about party leadership succession and broader calls for congressional term and age limits.
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What To Know
McConnell's most recent fall occurred in the Senate office complex while he was asked a question regarding ICE deportations. He was assisted by those near him and appeared to be uninjured, later waving to cameras. The event follows a February 2025 incident in which McConnell fell down the Senate stairs and required assistance from Senators Steve Daines and Markwayne Mullin.
McConnell has also experienced two widely reported public “freezing” episodes in 2023, during which he stopped speaking abruptly during press conferences, appearing unresponsive. Experts have emphasized the need for immediate medical evaluation after such incidents, citing potential causes ranging from complex partial seizures and mini strokes to anxiety or degenerative neurological conditions. McConnell assured reporters he was "fine" after those incidents, but never disclosed details about subsequent medical examinations.
Is Mitch McConnell Still In Office?
Despite ongoing health concerns and repeated public incidents, Senator McConnell remains in office and has confirmed his intent to serve the remainder of his term through January 2027. He announced in February 2025 that he would not seek reelection, marking this as his final Senate term. He stepped down as Senate Republican leader in February 2024 but remains in the Senate to represent the state of Kentucky.
How Long Has Mitch McConnell Served in the Senate?
Mitch McConnell, first elected in 1984, is the longest-serving Senate party leader in U.S. history. His tenure as Republican leader began in 2007, and he has served as majority and minority leader over the past 18 years.
As of February 2025, McConnell is one of the Senate’s longest-serving members, with over 40 years of service in office.
Mitch McConnell Political Stance: What We Know
Senator McConnell is regarded as a master tactician and a staunch conservative, known for advancing a right-of-center agenda and using Senate procedural rules to strategic effect. He played a leading role in blocking former President Barack Obama’s Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland in 2016, and he set the stage for the confirmation of three Supreme Court justices during Trump’s first term. McConnell’s approach frequently put him at odds with Democrats and, in recent years, with certain factions within the Republican Party, including supporters of Trump.
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