Ximena talks about the unsettling moment Minority Leader Mitch McConnell abruptly stopped speaking for 30 seconds, which has sparked concerns for the 81-year-old's health.
She'll also look at how Congress seems on a collision course toward a government shutdown after the August recess and GOP hopefuls are seeking support in the key state of Iowa this weekend.
Ximena Bustillo is an NPR politics reporter based in Washington
File photo of Mitch McConnell, who struggled to speak during a Republican media conference sparking fears for his health. Photo: AFP