Mitch McConnell vows to serve his full term as Senate Republican leader

TORONTO

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has moved to address speculations about his future, making it clear that he intends to serve his full term despite concerns about his health.

"Leader McConnell appreciates the continued support of his colleagues, and plans to serve his full term in the job they overwhelmingly elected him to do," a spokesperson for McConnell said in a statement to Politico.

As the Republican leader of the Senate, McConnell's current two-year term is set to conclude in early January 2025. Beyond that point, it will be up to his colleagues to decide whether to reelect him.

Earlier this year, he made history by becoming the longest-serving Senate party leader in the US.

Concerns over McConnell's health intensified after an incident during a weekly Republican leadership news conference on Wednesday. He abruptly stopped speaking, appearing to freeze and was then led away in silence.

Shortly after, McConnell returned to the news conference unaccompanied and assured he was fine. When asked if he could perform his job fully, he responded, "yes."

His office explained that he briefly stepped away due to feeling lightheaded.