A handful of rank-and-file Senate Republicans are considering calling a special meeting on the health and leadership of Minority Leader Mitch McConnell after his second freeze-up incident this summer, Politico reported Thursday.
No member of party leadership is part of the group, per the report, but all it takes is five GOP senators to force a special conference.
Lawmakers are currently out on recess and return to Washington, D.C., next week. Politico reported that no decision had yet been made on whether the cadre of Republicans will force a debate on McConnell's health.
The hubbub began after McConnell froze up for more than 30 seconds during a press conference Wednesday in Kentucky, during which he addressed whether he would seek reelection. A spokesperson for McConnell said he "felt momentarily lightheaded."
McConnell also froze at a news conference in July.
The Congressional attending physician said McConnell is "medically clear" to return to work after conferring with the 81-year-old's neurology team.
"Occasional lightheadedness is not uncommon in concussion recovery and can also be expected as a result of dehydration," said Dr. Brian Monahan in a letter shared Thursday by McConnell's office, referring to the leader's fall in March, which caused a concussion.
McConnell did speak with party leadership — Minority Whip John Thune, Sen. John Cornyn, Conference Chair John Barrasso, and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito — Wednesday after the episode, according to Politico.
Sen. Rick Scott of Florida has not signaled another challenge to McConnell over the scares, saying Wednesday that he expects McConnell to remain as leader through this term. McConnell put down a challenge by Scott last year, 37-10.
"If a handful goes down that path, it will be a rerun of the last time," a GOP senator told Politico.
There's been no hint of retirement from the Kentuckian. A spokesperson previously said he intends on fulfilling his leadership term through 2024. His Senate term comes up in 2026.
McConnell is the longest-serving party leader in Senate history.