McConnell plans to serve out term as GOP leader after freeze-up

• After being escorted back to his office by his GOP leadership deputies, he later returned and told reporters he was "fine" before taking questions.
• A spokesperson said at the time he "felt lightheaded and stepped away for a moment," noting that "everyone observed [his Q&A] as sharp."

What they're saying: "Leader McConnell appreciates the continued support of his colleagues, and plans to serve his full term in the job they overwhelmingly elected him to do," a McConnell spokesperson told Axios.

• The statement, first reported by Politico, echoes his tamping down of rumors in April that he planned to retire following a fall at a fundraiser.

The context: In November, McConnell defeated Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), the former chair of the Senate GOP's campaign arm, to serve as Republican leader through 2024.

• The lopsided 37-10 vote was the first contested leadership election McConnell had faced since he first ascended to the role in 2007.