Republicans offer continued backing of McConnell after freezing episode

Washington — GOP senators offered their continued support for Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell after he froze mid-sentence for several seconds while speaking to reporters this week, brushing off questions about his ability to remain the top Republican in the upper chamber after the episode.

"He said he's fine and I take him at face value," Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the Senate's second-ranking Republican, told reporters Thursday. "You heard him respond to questions yesterday. He was very crisp in his answers."

GOP Sen. Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming said McConnell enjoys a "tremendous amount of support."