Nebraska Senator Pete Ricketts apologised after attempting to use Capitol Police to stop a reporter questioning him about Senator Mitch McConnell’s health. The episode drew attention because it involved a lawmaker seeking security intervention during routine press questioning at the Capitol.

Ricketts told the reporter that McConnell should be given time to recover before signalling to officers as the questioning continued. He later said he had reacted poorly and apologised to the reporter by telephone; McConnell, 84, has been away from the Senate following a fall and pneumonia.