The attending physician of the Capitol is ruling out a seizure, stroke, or other movement disorder after Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) had difficulty speaking during a press conference in Kentucky last week.
“My examination of you following your August 30, 2023 brief episode included several medical evaluations: brain MRI imaging, EEG study and consultations with several neurologists for a comprehensive neurology assessment,” Dr. Brian P. Monahan said in a new letter released by McConnell’s office. “There is no evidence that you have a seizure disorder or that you experienced a stroke, TIA or movement disorder such as Parkinson’s disease.”
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The incident occurred last Wednesday when a reporter in Covington, Kentucky, asked him about his political plans when his term is up in 2026.
At first, the Senate Republican leader acknowledged the question but trailed off and stopped speaking. An aide stepped in and asked if he had heard the question. McConnell responded “yes” but continued to freeze. This prompted the aide to say, “We’re going to need a minute.”
The senator appeared to regain his composure and then briefly answered two additional questions after aides stepped in to repeat questions from reporters and then led him away.
In late July, the minority leader was briefly escorted from the Senate Republicans’ weekly press conference after he froze in front of the cameras, the first such public incident.
McConnell, 81, was hospitalized earlier this year after suffering a fall that required him to complete physical therapy. He experienced a concussion and a minor rib fracture that sidelined him from the Senate for nearly six weeks.
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Monahan last week attributed the most recent freezing episode to dehydration and lightheadedness related to his concussion but said he was “medically clear” to continue his duties as usual.
The Republican leader’s office also had attributed the two freezing moments to “lightheadedness.”
McConnell was previously hospitalized in 2019 after fracturing his shoulder from a fall on his patio at home.
McConnell and the rest of the Senate returns to Washington Tuesday afternoon.
