UPDATE - US Senate Republican Leader McConnell freezes while speaking to reporters

ADDS BIDEN, WHITE HOUSE COMMENTS IN GRAFS 4-6, REARRANGES GRAFS

By Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - US Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell appeared to freeze for 30 seconds Wednesday as he attempted to answer a question in his home state of Kentucky.

McConnell, 81, initially seemed to struggle to hear a question about whether he would run for re-election in 2026, and then abruptly stopped speaking. An aide approached McConnell to ask if he heard the question before the aide said: “All right, I’m sorry, you all. We’re going to need a minute."

It was the second time McConnell appeared to freeze after he experienced a similar incident at the US Capitol in late July.

US President Joe Biden, who served with McConnell in the Senate for decades before he assumed the vice presidency in 2009, said he would try to speak with the Republican leader later Wednesday.

"Mitch is a friend as you know, not a joke. I know people don't believe that's the case, but we have disagreements politically, but he's a good friend," he told reporters at the White House.

The White House wished McConnell well, and "a speedy recovery" as news of the current health episode circulated.

McConnell made history earlier this year when he became the longest-serving Senate party leader.

*Michael Hernandez contributed to this report