There are growing calls for U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to resign, which has led to talk about who would replace the Senate minority leader.
This comes after McConnell, for the second time this summer, recently froze during a press conference.
The reader may remember that, earlier this summer, McConnell froze up during a news conference that took place in Washington D.C. It happened again last Wednesday.
During a news conference on Aug. 30, 2023, a reporter asked McConnell, "What are your thoughts on running for re-election?"
"What're my thoughts about what?" McConnell replied.
The reporter then repeated the question, and McConnell froze. He stood there with a blank look on his face for about 10 seconds before one aide and then a second aide came to his assistance - but McConnell remained frozen. The freeze lasted for about 30 seconds.
Afterward, Dr. Brian Monohan - Congress's attending physician, released a statement claiming that McConnell's freeze was caused by "lightheadedness" and that "occasional lightheadedness is not uncommon in concussion recovery and can also be expected as a result of dehydration." Nonetheless, Monohan claimed that McConnell is "medically clear" to continue his duties.
In light of this incident, questions, once again, are being raised about McConnell's fitness for office. Some have even called for his resignation.
Among those to do so is U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. Greene tweeted:
Severe aging health issues and/or mental health incompetence in our nation’s leaders MUST be addressed.
Biden, McConnell, Feinstein, and Fetterman are examples of people who are not fit for office and it’s time to be serious about it.
1/2
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) August 30, 2023
All of this has led to substantial talk about replacing McConnell. Last week, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) was asked directly about potentially replacing McConnell. But, Beshear refused to even consider the question.
"There is no Senate vacancy. Senator McConnell has said he's going to serve out his term, and I believe him. So, I'm not going to speculate about something that hasn't happened and isn't going to happen," Beshear said.
Many have called attention to the fact that Beshear even refused to commit to replacing McConnell with a Republican - something that is required by Kentucky's law. Many are wondering whether this means that Beshear could try to replace McConnell with a Democrat.
For the time being, though, there is no indication that McConnell has any plans to resign early. The 81-year-old is up for reelection in 2026.
