Mitch McConnell Freezes For the Second Time in Five Weeks
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell meets with President Isaac Herzog of Israel on July 19, 2023 (Image courtesy of the Office of the Senate Minority Leader).
Questions about the health of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell are rising in response to two episodes of freezing over the past five weeks during news conferences; this time during a press conference in Kentucky.
Article by Isabel Cantor, Associate Medical Reporter
COVINGTON, Ky. - Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell froze for the second time in just over a month while being asked questions at a news conference in Covington, Kentucky, on Wednesday, August 30. Since McConnell’s second episode occurred, questions are being raised about the health of the 81-year-old politician.
The republican senator was being asked a series of questions by reporters at the news conference on Wednesday. When he was asked about his “thoughts on running for reelection in 2026,” he froze, appearing to be in a catatonic state for over 30 seconds. He stared ahead with his mouth closed until an aide came over to ask him if he heard the question. The aide then announced to the room, “Alright, I am sorry you all. We are going to need a minute.”
Following the press conference, a McConnell spokesperson said, “Leader McConnell felt momentarily lightheaded and paused during his press conference today.”
Dr. Brian P. Monahan, attending physician of Congress, consulted with the senator, as well as his neurology team, in response to the second occurrence of freezing. “After evaluating yesterday’s incident, I have informed Leader McConnell that he is medically clear to continue with his schedule as planned,” Monahan said in a statement released to the public on Thursday.
Earlier this year, in March, Senator McConnell suffered a fall that left him with a concussion, in addition to a broken rib. This took place at a hotel in Washington during a private dinner. Due to the severity of his injuries, he was hospitalized for five days, and could not return to work for about six weeks. After rehabilitation, he finally returned back to the Senate in April, and was greeted with a warm welcome. McConnell told reporters it was "good to be back."
“Occasional lightheadedness is not uncommon in concussion recovery and can also be expected as a result of dehydration,” added Monahan.
On July 26, a very similar episode occurred while McConnell was speaking on Capitol Hill. He was in the middle of a sentence when he stopped speaking.
After approximately 20 seconds of the incident, two of his colleagues helped escort him from the press conference. Luckily, he returned to the podium to continue answering questions just a few minutes after stepping away. He then told reporters himself that he was “fine” when asked about what happened.
Although McConnell was evaluated by Dr. Monahan after his second episode, and was cleared to continue working, the public is still skeptical about the 81-year-old remaining senator.
A diagnosis for McConnell has not yet been made, as three neurologists said that using the two, very short clips of the episodes are not enough to properly make a diagnosis. However, localized seizures or a temporary drop in blood pressure are two possibilities solely based on the recorded footage. Still, the best way to accurately diagnose McConnell would be to completely examine him, as well as conduct brain scans.
Chairman of neurology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Dr. Dane Michael Chetkovich, has a feeling that McConnell is suffering from seizures. “If a person came to my office and showed me a video like this, where they were speaking normally and then had a speech arrest that lasted for 15 to 20 seconds, up to a couple of minutes, I would be strongly suspicious of a seizure.” Chetkovich also interestingly pointed out that McConnell’s eyes seemed to be staring off to the right while he froze. This could very likely be a sign of a seizure on the left side of the brain, which is responsible for language functions.
Also, Dr. W. Taylor Kimberly, chief of neurocritical care at Massachusetts General Hospital, suggested that McConnell should see a cardiologist, since a possible explanation for the two health scares could be a drop in blood pressure.
Nevertheless, if McConnell is further evaluated and examined by a variety of medical professionals, and he is once again cleared to return back to his duties as senator, these two health episodes are shedding light on the health of other politicians who are around McConnell’s age. Dianne Feinstein, Democratic Senator of California, as well as President Joe Biden, are old enough to cause the public to raise health concerns.
90-year-old Senator Feinstein, who is currently the oldest U.S. senator, was briefly hospitalized earlier this month as a result of a fall. A spokesperson said in a statement that “all of her scans were clear and she returned home.”
“She said she suffered no injuries and briefly went to the hospital as a precaution,” said Senate Majority Leader of New York, Chuck Schumer, after speaking with Feinstein over the phone. “I’m glad she is back home now and is doing well.”
This is just one of her multiple health problems. She was hospitalized for shingles in February, resulting in an extended absence from the Senate.
Although she has announced that she will not run for reelection in 2024, some Democrats suggest that she resigns, but she has refused to step down from her role before then.
Similarly, President Joe Biden, who is 80 years old, has launched his reelection campaign in April, which is causing the public to doubt his ability to carry out his duties as president.
However, after his physical examination in February, he was declared “fit for duty” in a letter released by Biden’s physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor.
Although McConnell is facing many questions about his capability to remain senator, his recent doctor report seems promising enough for him to continue his role until he is further examined by physicians.