GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley told Fox News Thursday that “right now, the Senate is the most privileged nursing home in the country.”
Her comments came in response to questions about Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who froze during a press conference the prior day. This was the second time in less than two months that McConnell had paused amid reporters’ questions and had to be assisted by aides, raising concerns again about the 81-year-old’s health.
Haley, 51, called the latest incident sad, saying “no one should feel good about seeing that.”
“Mitch McConnell has done some great things and he deserves credit,” Haley said. “But you have to know when to leave.”
The former South Carolina governor reiterated support for mental competency tests for politicians older than 75, adding she “wouldn’t care if they did them over the age of 50.”
Haley also referenced Sen. Dianne Feinstein, whose health has been questioned since the 90-year-old California Democrat was hospitalized for shingles earlier this year and spent almost three months away from Congress recovering.
“These are people making decisions on our national security. They’re making decisions on our economy, on the border,” Haley said. “We need to know they’re at the top of their game. You can’t say that right now looking at Congress.”
McConnell’s doctor cleared him Thursday to continue his schedule, saying the senator experienced “occasional lightheadedness” from dehydration and a previous concussion.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nikki Haley reacts to McConnell freezing for second time