Haley calls Senate ‘privileged nursing home’ after second McConnell freeze-up

Republican presidential candidate and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley referred to as the Senate “the most privileged nursing home in the country” after Minority Leader Mitch McConnell froze up for a second time whereas answering questions at a press convention.

Mrs. Haley, 51, mentioned Mr. McConnell, 81, has completed “great things” and “deserves credit,” however added, “You have to know when to leave.”

She made the feedback on Fox News after Mr. McConnell on Wednesday appeared momentarily paralyzed as he met with reporters in Covington, Kentucky. He recovered after about 30 seconds and answered extra questions, however the incident raised new issues about his well being. Mr. McConnell suffered an analogous freeze-up whereas assembly with reporters within the U.S. Capitol in July.

Ms. Haley questioned whether or not Mr. McConnell, President Biden, 80, and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, 90, stay match for workplace.

“No one should feel good about seeing that any more than we should feel good about seeing Dianne Feinstein, any more than we should feel good about a lot of what’s happening or seeing Joe Biden’s decline,” Mrs. Haley mentioned. “What I will say is, right now, the Senate is the most privileged nursing home in the country.”

Mrs. Feinstein, who has appeared mentally frail for months and has surrendered energy of lawyer to her daughter, has been urged to retire by Democrats and Republicans whereas Democrats fret over Mr. Biden’s personal obvious psychological decline as he runs for a second time period.

“I think that we do need mental competency tests for anyone over the age of 75,” Mrs. Haley mentioned. “I wouldn’t care if they did them over the age of 50. But these people are making decisions on our national security. They’re making decisions on our economy, on the border. We need to know they’re at the top of their game.”

Few Republicans are publicly pushing for Mr. McConnell to step apart.

The longest-serving Senate GOP chief launched a letter Thursday from the attending doctor in Congress, Dr. Brian P. Monahan, that attributed the Covington incident to dehydration and the consequences from a concussion he suffered in a fall on March 9. Dr. Monahan cleared Mr. McConnell to return to his work schedule.

“I have consulted with Leader McConnell and conferred with his neurology team,” Dr. Monahan wrote. “After evaluating yesterday’s incident, I have informed Leader McConnell that he is medically clear to continue with his schedule as planned.”

Ms. Haley just isn’t alone in her criticism of older members of Congress. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Georgia Republican, wrote on X that “severe aging health issues and/or mental health incompetence in our nation’s leaders MUST be addressed.”

She cited as “not fit for office” Mr. McConnell, Mr. Biden, Mrs. Feinstein and Sen. John Fetterman, 54, a Pennsylvania Democrat who suffered a stroke final yr and has issue speaking.

“These politicians’ staff and family members should be ashamed of themselves by enabling and allowing their loved ones to remain in office all to hold power,” Ms. Greene wrote. “We are talking about our country’s national security, and it’s all at stake.”

Rep. Tim Burchett, Tennessee Republican, advised NBC News that Mr. McConnell‘s family and staff “should agree it’s time.”

“I think too often these folks are more concerned about their future and not our country,” Mr. Burchett mentioned.

Two different House Republicans advised NBC anonymously that Mr. McConnell must be extra “transparent” about his present well being standing.