Senate GOP Considers 'Special' Meeting To Determine Mitch McConnell's Future In The Party Following Another Health Scare - Should He Resign?

Reports from Congress indicate that a group of Republican senators are convening a meeting to discuss the leadership of the Senate GOP following the second public medical scare involving Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).

The 81-year-old senator has become a center of controversy akin to his elder colleague Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-CA), 90, who was called upon to resign by many in and out of her party after an extended medical absence and finds herself in a family legal battle over her late husband's estate.

According to Politico, Republican senators have discussed holding a larger meeting once the full Senate returns from summer vacation next week, citing a source directly involved with the conversations. Party leaders are not yet involved in the conversation and nothing has been decided for certain the source said.

Surprisingly, the threshold to force a special conference meeting is only five votes and this is reportedly the most direct route to changing leadership in the upper chamber of Congress.

However, as the outlet notes, the private luncheons held by the Senate GOP twice or three times every week provide an alternate venue for these discussions on the party leadership to manifest and could potentially forestall a more formal meeting.

This wouldn't be the first challenge to McConnell's leadership should it go to a vote. The first was launched last fall by Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) and failed in a 37-10 vote. 

Sentiment online from many conservative commentators has been swinging against McConnell for well over two years, hitting perhaps a peak in the aftermath of the Jan. 6th electoral college certification that saw him reject the election challenges of 45th President Donald Trump.

The renewed challenges coming from a question of capacity rather than political difference could be quite different though.

Collin Rugg of Trending Politics voiced a sentiment held by many Republicans, "I speak for most Americans when I say it’s time for McConnell to resign. Just last month, McConnell had a separate freezing episode where he went completely mute while giving a press conference. We deserve better, America." 

McConnell was declared "medically clear" to continue his duties by the Capitol attending physician Dr. Brian Monahan, citing the senator's symptoms as "not uncommon in concussion recovery and can also be expected as a result of dehydration,” according to The Hill.

“I have consulted with Leader McConnell and conferred with his neurology team. After evaluating yesterday’s incident, I have informed Leader McConnell that he is medically clear to continue with his schedule as planned. Occasional lightheadedness is not uncommon in concussion recovery and can also be expected as a result of dehydration,” Monahan said in a statement.

However, doubts regarding his fitness to serve have persisted and continue to grow online and in the halls of Congress.

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