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Party friends take care of Mitch McConnell after his misfire

Photo: J. Scott Applewhite / AP

He is 81 years old: The prominent U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell has stirred up new concerns about his state of health with a significant misfire at a press conference in Washington.

The Republican had wanted to comment on Wednesday in front of journalists in the corridors of the Senate on the defense budget, when he apparently suddenly lost the words. During his opening statement, McConnell stopped speaking in the middle of the sentence. This was followed by about 20 seconds of silence until he was asked by party colleagues if he was okay. He was eventually led out of sight of the cameras.

According to reporters, McConnell resumed the press conference a short time later. When asked what had happened and whether his misfire had anything to do with a fall a few months ago, the senator said, "No, I'm fine."

Fall with concussion in March

When asked if he was able to do his job, he answered in the affirmative. In March, McConnell had fallen during a private dinner at a hotel in Washington. He suffered a concussion and was treated in a hospital.

McConnell is the longest-serving leader of any party in the history of the U.S. Senate. According to the House of Representatives, he has been elected nine times since 2006 to lead the Republicans as majority or minority leader, depending on the outcome of the respective general elections and the parties' seats in the Senate. He has long been considered one of the most important puppet masters in U.S. politics.

The old age of American leaders is always the subject of discussion. At 80, Joe Biden is the oldest US president of all time and is seeking a second term.

McCarthy thinks impeachment proceedings against Biden are possible

Meanwhile, the leading US Republican in the House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy, believes it is possible that investigations into alleged financial transactions by US President Biden could lead to impeachment proceedings against him. The Republicans would act, should the evidence continue to condense and reach the level for impeachment investigations, wrote the chairman of the chamber on Tuesday (local time) on Twitter. The investigations bring to light new information every day about the Biden family's shell companies and shenanigans with the Department of Justice. The American public has a right to know the truth.

Impeachment proceedings could be initiated with a majority of Republicans in the House of Representatives – after all sorts of investigations and an identification of certain charges. This would require at least 218 votes in the chamber. The Republicans have a majority of 222 of the 435 votes. However, the decision on an actual impeachment lies in the Senate, where Biden's Democrats have a narrow majority.

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