Haley stresses ‘younger generation’ needs to take over in response to McConnell freeze-up

Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, a 2024 GOP presidential candidate, called for a “younger generation” of congressional leaders following the second time in recent weeks that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) appeared to freeze up while addressing reporters Wednesday.

In an interview on CBS News’s “Face the Nation,” Haley reiterated her position in support of term limits and mental competency tests for elected officials over a certain age and stressed that the issue applies to both parties, mentioning McConnell alongside other seasoned Democratic leaders.

“At what point do they get it’s time to leave? They need to let a younger generation take over. We want to go and start working for our kids to make sure we have a strong national security, to make sure we have a stronger economic policy, to make sure that America is safe. And we can’t do that if these individuals refuse to give up power,” Haley said.

“This is not just a Republican or Democrat problem. This is a congressional problem. And they’ve got to know when to leave. It is time to pass this down to a new generation of conservative leaders that want to take our country to a better place,” she continued. 

On Wednesday, McConnell appeared to freeze up when a reporter asked a question in Kentucky, staring blankly ahead for about 20 to 30 seconds. The incident, McConnell and his physician have said, stems from lightheadedness he’s experienced since suffering a concussion in a fall earlier this year.

Asked whether Haley thinks GOP senators should discuss a replacement for McConnell when senators return from August recess this week, Haley avoided answering directly, instead stressing the fact that the issue applies to both parties. 

“I want this for Republicans and Democrats. I want to make sure that they all know it’s time to go. There is a reason the American people want term limits. It’s because they don’t want people staying there forever. They don’t want people drunk on the power. They don’t want people to think they’re the only ones that know how to run Congress,” she said.

“We need people at the top of their game. We have too many issues on the table that need to be dealt with. We can’t continue to have these people who think they know better than the American people. The American people are saying it is time to go,” Haley added.