Nikki Haley, 51, thinks it’s vital to evaluate the mental competence of senior legislators, but suggested she be open to making this a requirement for all of Congress so there’s no discrimination over who gets audited.
The Republican nominee’s proposal for a mental competence test in Congress comes after Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, 81, froze for the second time in just a month during a news conference last week.
Nor is it the first time Haley has proposed placing restrictions on those who can hold federal office. Earlier this year, the Trump-era UN ambassador said the age limit for someone to run for president should be set at 75.
“I think there should be mental competence testing,” Haley told NBC’s Face the Nation Sunday morning, adding that it should happen, even if it’s “in front of the entire Congress.”
Presidential hopeful Nikki Haley said on Sunday there should be mental competency tests for anyone running for Congress — both incumbent and newcomer
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell froze during a press conference in Kentucky on Wednesday after suffering a concussion. The 30-second freeze is the second camera freeze in a month
These are basic tests. These are – tell us where you were born, name four words that start with the same letter, how many grandchildren do you have?’ she assured that the exams are easy and they will guarantee the mental capacity to serve in the office.
“If a candidate wants to run—incumbent or newcomer—they must disclose their financials,” Haley added. ‘They must also bring a note from the doctor stating something about their mental abilities. I think we need that.’
Haley has drawn criticism from the Trump world for her age limit of 75, claiming she was specifically targeting the ex-president with that restriction. But on Sunday she said a standard needs to be put in place, saying it could happen even at age 50.
Haley’s proposals come as the top ages in the top echelons of the federal government continue to rise.
President Joe Biden, 80, is the oldest person ever elected president. Donald Trump is 77, which means that if Biden or Trump win in 2024, they will set another record for the oldest president ever.
The Senate is led by 81-year-old Minority Leader and 72-year-old Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
Until the 2022 midterm elections, the House was led by then Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who is now 83.
Concerns about McConnell’s age and health have come under renewed scrutiny after he froze for 30 seconds at a press conference in Kentucky on Wednesday. It came just a month after a eerily similar incident while talking to reporters at the Capitol in late July. Colleagues helped usher him away from the stage and back to his office.
Both freezes occurred just months after McConnell fell at the Washington DC Waldorf Astoria, once the Trump Hotel. He suffered a concussion and broken ribs. It took six weeks for his recovery.
The latest episode echoes an eerily similar instance several weeks ago, when McConnell froze mid-press conference while speaking just off the Senate floor, needing help from fellow lawmakers to get him back to his office.
McConnell suffered a concussion and broken rib when he tripped and hit his head at the Waldorf Astoria earlier this year and was hospitalized for a week for treatment
Capitol physician Dr. Brian Monahan immediately cleared McConnell for normal work the day after the last freeze.
The doctor said it’s normal to experience dizziness while recovering from a concussion. He also said the episode could be attributed to dehydration.
Senator Mike Rounds told CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday that he spoke with McConnell the day before and that he is “in good shape.”
Rounds recounted what McConnell told him: “I had that concussion. They warned me that I would become lightheaded in the future and that I should be aware of it. It happened twice. Coincidentally, I do it in front of reporters.’
“He felt good yesterday,” Rounds added of the Republican Senate leader. “He said to watch his hydration level. Dr. Monahan, who’s also my doctor there in the Senate, he’s sharp… and if he says Mitch is ready to go, then Mitch is ready to go.”
Concerns are also rising about the health of 90-year-old Senator Dianne Feinstein, who reportedly had to remind her aides what she voted for on the Senate floor.
McConnell’s freeze comes as 90-year-old Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) is also facing massive criticism for her ongoing health problems and advanced age.
Voters are also concerned about President Biden’s age. A new poll last week found that 77 percent of Americans think he is too old for another four-year term.
“We can’t stand watching Dianne Feinstein sit there and be told how to vote by an assistant,” Haley told NBC’s Robert Costa. “We can’t worry about Mitch McConnell getting frozen on stage. We can’t let Joe Biden forget where he is.”
“Our enemies are watching all of this,” she added. “And every time they have a case like this, America is less safe because our enemies think we’re out of control — and that has to stop.”
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