Top US Senate Republican McConnell to stay in post through 2024 election

FILE PHOTO: U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) speaks to reporters following the Senate Republicans weekly policy lunch at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., April 18, 2023. REUTERS/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/File Photo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Top U.S. Senate Republican Mitch McConnell plans to remain in his leadership post through the 2024 elections, a spokesperson said on Friday, two days after the minority leader froze up for about 21 seconds while speaking to reporters.

"He plans to serve his full term in the job they (Republican senators) overwhelmingly elected him to do," the spokesperson said. The statement was silent on McConnell's plans for the next Congress, which begins in January 2025. McConnell, 81, is serving a six-year term that runs through 2026.