Changes

===Declining health===

===Declining health===

McConnell, at 81, has exhibited signs of cognitive decline, especially throughout 2023. This was first marked in early March 2023, when he had tripped and fell during a D.C. dinner event, resulting in him being hospitalized for five days followed by a month and a half absence from the Senate.<ref>[https://www.npr.org/2023/03/13/1163232163/ Sen. Mitch McConnell's health issues spotlight Kentucky's succession process]</ref>

McConnell, at the age of 81, has exhibited signs of cognitive decline, especially throughout 2023. This was first marked in early March 2023, when he had tripped and fell during a D.C. dinner event, resulting in him being hospitalized for five days followed by a month and a half absence from the Senate.<ref>[https://www.npr.org/2023/03/13/1163232163/ Sen. Mitch McConnell's health issues spotlight Kentucky's succession process]</ref>

On July 26, 2023, McConnell froze up mid-speech in Capitol Hill, unable to finish his statement, during a press conference and was promptly escorted away from the podium by his aides.<ref>[https://www.theblaze.com/news/mitch-mcconnell-freezes-during-briefing Mitch McConnell freezes mid-sentence during press conference and is escorted away from podium]</ref>

On July 26, 2023, McConnell froze up mid-speech in Capitol Hill, unable to finish his statement, during a press conference and was promptly escorted away from the podium by his aides.<ref>[https://www.theblaze.com/news/mitch-mcconnell-freezes-during-briefing Mitch McConnell freezes mid-sentence during press conference and is escorted away from podium]</ref>