But the reality is that McConnell – the longest-serving party leader in Senate history – faces questions about how long he can continue in that post. And with Congress facing a turbulent fall session, including a potential government shutdown, the timing couldn’t be worse.
McConnell is now the rare congressional leader to be profoundly struggling with his health in a very public way.
McConnell, a childhood polio survivor, missed roughly six weeks after falling in March. Then there was the July incident, which occurred during the weekly leadership press conference. McConnell has been using a wheelchair outside the Capitol. Now comes this latest episode, which again took place on camera.
Inside McConnell’s circle, there are doubts about how long he will last as the top Senate Republican, the position he’s held since 2006.
Hill insiders have noted that McConnell has altered his schedule of late. For example, he didn’t attend the Capitol address given by Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
Officially, McConnell world is saying very little. But the Senate will be back next week. Questions about McConnell’s continued viability as leader will be a top issue for both parties when the Senate returns to session next week.
– John Bresnahan, Jake Sherman and Andrew Desiderio
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