McConnell remains 'perfectly capable,' South Dakota senator says

Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) said Sunday that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is “perfectly capable” of continuing his work after freezing for the second time during a press conference last week.

“I spoke with Mitch yesterday afternoon … and he said he was in good shape,” Rounds told host Dana Bash on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

Rounds said McConnell told him that after sustaining a concussion in March, he was warned of possible lightheadedness in the future and to stay aware of it.

Speaking at a press conference in Kentucky on Wednesday, McConnell froze for nearly 30 seconds after being asked about his reelection plans for 2026. An aide said after McConnell's freeze-up that the senator planned to consult a doctor.

The leader had a similar incident in July during a press conference at the Capitol.

The health scares of the 81-year-old, the longest-serving Senate party leader, have spurred discussion and rumors about his future and the state of his health.

"Mitch is sharp and he is shrewd. He understands what needs to be done. I'll leave it up to him as to how he wants to discuss that with the American public. I will leave it up to him as to how he wants to discuss that with American public. But there's no doubt in my mind that he is perfectly capable of continuing on at this stage of the game," Rounds said.

“We all understand that he’s good, he’s good for our party and he sees the long road ahead,” Rounds said. “At this stage of the game, I think he’ll continue on.”