Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell sparked concerns over his health Wednesday after he suddenly stopped speaking during a news conference and had to be led away by his Republican colleagues.

Minority Leader Mitch McConnell: “This week, there’s been good bipartisan cooperation and a string of, uh…”

The 81-year-old Republican leader had just begun speaking to reporters about the Senate’s record-breaking $886 billion military budget bill, when he froze and stared off into space. After a 20-second pause, Republican Conference Chair John Barrasso, who’s a doctor, led McConnell away; McConnell returned to the podium a short time later, insisting he felt fine. McConnell has suffered several falls this year, including an incident in March that sidelined him from the Senate for six weeks with a concussion and broken ribs.