Physician shares McConnell evaluation after second freeze-up scare.

Daniel ChaitinAugust 31, 2023

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell Cleared to Continue Working

The attending physician of the U.S. Congress announced on Thursday that Senate Minority ⁢Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is⁤ cleared to continue working, just 24 hours after⁢ he appeared to freeze up at a press ⁢conference for the second time in a month.

BREAKING NEWS: Sen. Mitch McConnell appearing ⁤to have another scary episode in the media gaggle in⁢ Covington today. Aides had to step⁤ in to help him out and repeat questions.⁢ He was eventually lead away. We’ll have the ⁢full video on @WLWT pic.twitter.com/q9ex5MHxLV

— Hannah Thomas (@HannahPThomas) August 30, 2023

“I have consulted with Leader McConnell and conferred with his neurology⁢ team. After evaluating yesterday’s ⁣incident, I have informed Leader McConnell that he is medically clear to continue with his schedule as planned,” said Dr. Brian Monahan.

According‍ to Dr. Monahan, occasional lightheadedness ‍is not uncommon in concussion recovery ⁣and can ⁢also be expected as a result of dehydration.

During an event in Kentucky on Wednesday, McConnell, 81,⁣ struggled to respond to a question about his thoughts on running for re-election in 2026. Video footage showed him being assisted ⁢by two people in the room before he was able to take a couple more questions and end the press conference.

McConnell’s spokesperson⁢ stated that he felt momentarily lightheaded and paused during the ‌press conference. As‌ a precautionary measure, McConnell will be consulting a‍ physician prior to his ⁤next event.

President Joe Biden expressed his concern and said he planned to call‍ McConnell to⁢ check up on ⁢him. Biden ‍later confirmed that they had a conversation and that McConnell seemed to be his old self ⁢on the telephone.

This is not the first ⁤time McConnell has experienced such⁤ an incident. Several weeks earlier, he momentarily froze while speaking to the press on Capitol‌ Hill. However, he assured everyone that he ⁤was fine.

It is worth noting that McConnell sustained a concussion earlier this year‌ after a fall.‍ Reports have ‌also emerged that ⁤he had fallen at least two other‌ times in the preceding months. McConnell is part of ‌a group of older politicians,⁤ including Biden and Sen. ‌Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), ⁤who have faced⁣ health concerns⁣ and⁢ pressure to retire.