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News: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell made a round of calls to his allies in and around the GOP leadership following a second public appearance in which he appeared unable to speak.

McConnell was in Covington, Ky., Wednesday and he froze up after a reporter asked the 81-year old about running for re-election in 2026.

Moments later, McConnell answered a few other questions but needed someone by his side to repeat the inquiries before responding.

McConnell called Senate Minority Whip John Thune and Republican Conference Chair John Barrasso, as well as Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas), both close allies.

A Thune aide said McConnell “sounded like his usual self and was in good spirits.” A Cornyn spokesperson said McConnell told the Texas Republican he was doing well.

Thune, Cornyn and Barrasso – the “Three Johns” – are seen as likely candidates to be the next Republican leader if and when McConnell steps down. Thune would be the favorite.

McConnell’s office said the Kentucky Republican felt “lightheaded” at today’s event, the same reason they gave for a July episode in the Capitol in which he was similarly unable to speak. A McConnell aide said the GOP leader would see a doctor before his next event. McConnell has a private event scheduled for this evening.

But the reality is that McConnell – the longest-serving party leader in Senate history – faces questions about how long he can continue in that post. And with Congress facing a turbulent fall session, including a potential government shutdown, the timing couldn’t be worse.

McConnell is now the rare congressional leader to be profoundly struggling with his health in a very public way.

McConnell, a childhood polio survivor, missed roughly six weeks after falling in March. Then there was the July incident, which occurred during the weekly leadership press conference. McConnell has been using a wheelchair outside the Capitol. Now comes this latest episode, which again took place on camera.

Inside McConnell’s circle, there are doubts about how long he will last as the top Senate Republican, the position he’s held since 2006.

Hill insiders have noted that McConnell has altered his schedule of late. For example, he didn’t attend the Capitol address given by Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

Officially, McConnell world is saying very little. But the Senate will be back next week. Questions about McConnell’s continued viability as leader will be a top issue for both parties when the Senate returns to session next week.

– John Bresnahan, Jake Sherman and Andrew Desiderio