Mitch McConnell’s Senate Future Is in Doubt After Health Episode
Senator Josh Hawley, Republican of Missouri, who voted for Mr. Scott, declined on Thursday to comment on Mr. McConnell’s health, but he said that he still wants new Republican leadership in the Senate.
“I have never commented about a senator’s health, whether it’s Senator Feinstein or Senator Fetterman, so I’m not going to do that with Senator McConnell,” Mr. Hawley said. “I voted for different leadership, and I stand by that. My preference would be for different leadership, but that doesn’t have anything to do with his health.”
Dianne Feinstein, Democrat of California, is 90, in frail health and with memory issues that make it difficult for her to function alone in the Senate. On Thursday, her colleague Senator Patty Murray of Washington had to help her when she appeared to be confused about a vote on a military spending bill. “Just say aye,” Ms. Murray told her, as she began a muddled speech.
John Fetterman, Democrat of Pennsylvania, who had a stroke during his campaign and uses a closed-caption device to help him communicate, was absent from the Senate for six weeks earlier this year while being treated for clinical depression at Walter Reed Military Medical Center.
Mr. McConnell is also a survivor. He pushed through childhood disease to rise to the top, maintained his iron grip on power despite a constant barrage of attacks from former President Donald J. Trump, and has never been willing to show any sign of weakness or entertain any challenge to his leadership of the Republican conference. Mr. McConnell’s position of power in Washington for decades has also fueled an entire network of operatives whose livelihoods are tied to his staying in his current position.
Source: The New York Times