又“僵住”了，81歲參議院共和黨領袖麥康奈爾“大腦宕機”超30秒，履職能力遭到質疑…（附影片&解說稿）

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當地時間8月30日，美國國會參議院共和黨領袖麥康奈爾的健康狀況再次引發外界關注。這次，他在肯塔基州回答記者提問時疑似又一次“僵住”，時間長達30秒。

據報道，在肯塔基州卡溫頓市，有記者提問麥康奈爾是否有計劃在2026年競選連任。影片顯示，81歲的麥康奈爾多次要求記者重複這個問題，中間他笑了一下，隨後便“僵住”，緊閉雙唇，直視前方。

其間，他的助手上前詢問道，“你聽到提問了嗎，參議員，問你2026年是否參選？”麥康奈爾沒有任何反應。

麥康奈爾的助手對現場記者說，“對不起，我們需要一點時間。”待麥康奈爾回過神來，問答繼續進行。

麥康奈爾的發言人在當天晚些時候表示，“在今天的釋出會上，麥康奈爾短暫地出現頭暈，中斷了會議。他現在感覺良好，為保險起見，他將諮詢醫生。”

康奈爾現年81歲，自2007年起擔任參議院共和黨領袖，是美國曆史上任職時間最長的參議院黨團領袖。由於其高齡和身體健康問題，一些美國媒體和民眾質疑麥康奈爾能否繼續履職。

麥康奈爾再次“僵住”

這次長達“約30秒”

↓↓↓ 上下滑動，檢視採訪稿 ↓↓↓

GEOFF BENNETT: For the second time this summer, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell froze up while answering reporter questions, this time during a press conference in Kentucky this afternoon.

There was a similar moment for the senator on Capitol Hill last month.

Our congressional correspondent, Lisa Desjardins, joins us now with more.

So, Lisa, walk us through what happened today.

LISA DESJARDINS: Geoff, I think it best just to show what happened.

The 80-year-old McConnell was speaking to reporters in Covington, Kentucky.

QUESTION: What are your thoughts on running for reelection in 2026? SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL (R-KY): What are my thoughts about what? QUESTION: Running for reelection in 2006? SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL: Oh.

SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL: That's…

QUESTION: Did you hear the question, Senator? Running for reelection in 2026? SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL: Yes.

LISA DESJARDINS: You can see there that the senator froze. And it was a total of at least 30 seconds where he was nonresponsive.

Senator McConnell did go on to take a couple of questions. He gave very brief, just-a-few-word answers to those. Now, his office said that he felt dizzy and paused. That is exactly what he said, what the office also said in July, when there was that similar moment on Capitol Hill, where the senator paused after and froze after getting questions from reporters.

Now, this office is known for its discipline, not a lot of information. I did hear from the office of the number two Republican in the Senate, John Thune. They told me Senator Thune spoke to Senator McConnell this afternoon and said he was his usual self — Geoff.

GEOFF BENNETT: Lisa, McConnell is the longest-serving party leader in Senate history.

And this incident is the latest to raise questions about the age and health of our elected leaders.

Tell me more about that.

LISA DESJARDINS: That's right.

A third of the U.S. Senate Geoff is over 70 years old. McConnell, at 80, is the fourth oldest. There are senators in their 80s, 89 and 90, including Dianne Feinstein, who had health problems this year as well. John Fetterman, senator from Pennsylvania, is younger, but he had a stroke that took him out of office for several weeks as well.

Now, this is a place where seniority is power. And McConnell is the linchpin to many things that affect all of our lives. And he could also be critical in the next month, as we potentially face a government shutdown at the end of September.

GEOFF BENNETT: Lisa Desjardins.

Lisa, thank you.