Senator Mitch McConnell receives assistance during Senate vote

During a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing regarding a Farm Bill, Senator Mitch McConnell appeared to require assistance from colleagues to cast his vote. Video footage shows that after the clerk called his name, McConnell did not immediately respond.

Senator John Hoeven (R-N.D.) was seen leaning in to urge McConnell to vote ‘no,’ though McConnell ultimately cast an ‘Aye’ vote. Additionally, Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman (R-Ark.) appeared to reassure McConnell that ‘Aye’ was the correct vote, prompting a second ‘Aye’ from the Senator.

A spokesperson for Senator Hoeven stated that the confusion arose because Hoeven initially believed the vote was to overrule the chair before realizing it was for final passage.