Republican senators have expressed confidence that Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell will return to work, despite growing scrutiny of his health following recent public episodes in which he appeared to freeze while speaking. Their support matters because McConnell’s health has prompted questions about his ability to continue leading his party in the Senate.

Senators including Joni Ernst and Roger Marshall said they expected McConnell to resume his duties and stressed that he remained capable of doing the job. The concern followed incidents during press appearances in July and August 2023, after which McConnell’s office said he had experienced light-headedness and would consult a physician.