McConnell finally speaks up about Freeze Incident.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) assured The Epoch Times on Sept. 6 that he was feeling “fine” following a second “freezing” incident that raised concerns about his health.
During his remarks to the upper chamber of Congress on Capitol Hill, McConnell confidently told a reporter, ”I’m doing fine.” He also addressed calls for his resignation, teasing an upcoming press conference by saying, “We’ll have a stakeout this afternoon.”
Both parties are expected to hold press conferences after their weekly policy lunches later in the day. McConnell’s health has been a topic of discussion among lawmakers, but he declined to confirm whether he would address it with reporters.
Physicians’ Assessment of McConnell
One day after McConnell’s freezing incident, Congressional Attending Physician Dr. Brian Monahan stated that the senator was cleared to continue his schedule. This second on-camera episode occurred when McConnell remained unresponsive to reporters’ questions for about 30 seconds. It comes several months after he suffered a concussion from a fall in March.
“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,” read Dr. Monahan’s statement (pdf).
The doctor explained that “Occasional lightheadedness is not uncommon in concussion recovery and can also be expected as a result of dehydration.”
A Sept. 5 letter from Dr. Monahan to McConnell further clarified that he did not suffer a seizure during the freezing incident. Dr. Monahan wrote, ”My examination of you following your Aug. 30, 2023, brief episode included several medical evaluations: brain MRI imaging, EEG study, and consultations with several neurologists for a comprehensive neurology assessment.”
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who is also a physician, questioned the health assessment, stating to a group of reporters, “I’ve practiced medicine for 25 years, and it doesn’t look like dehydration to me. It looks like a focal neurologic event.
“That doesn’t mean it’s incapacitating, doesn’t mean he can’t serve,” the lawmaker continued. “But it means that somebody ought to wake up and say, ‘Wow, this looks like a seizure.'”
Public Support From Both Parties
Senate Republican Whip John Thune (S.D.) expressed full support for McConnell continuing as leader, a sentiment shared by several Republican senators. However, Thune declined to speculate on McConnell’s future beyond the upcoming election.
Thune reported having “a couple of conversations” with McConnell, 81, and stated that McConnell “sounded great” after those discussions.
After a work lunch later in the week, Thune mentioned that McConnell “will have an opportunity to address colleagues” about his health and other concerns.
When asked about supporting McConnell as a leader beyond the next election, Thune replied, “That’s so far out there I don’t even want to start speculating about that, but he has my full support, and he’ll have the support of the conference.”
The Aug. 30 incident occurred just over a month after McConnell abruptly stopped speaking during his weekly press conference, remaining silent for approximately 20 seconds before leaving. Moments later, he commented on the Kentucky gubernatorial race and declined to discuss former President Donald Trump or the 2024 presidential race.
An aide later informed The Epoch Times that McConnell “felt momentarily lightheaded” and paused during his press conference. The aide added, “While he feels fine, as a prudential measure, the leader will be consulting.”
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