McConnell’s freezing episodes show no evidence of strokes, seizures, Capitol physician says
Mitch McConnell Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) walks through Statuary Hall on his way to the House Chamber for an address by Israeli President Isaac Herzog's address to a joint meeting of Congress at the U.S. Capitol on July 19, 2023 in Washington. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images, File)
By Theresa Seiger, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
WASHINGTON — Recent incidents in which Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell appeared to freeze while addressing reporters have shown “no evidence” of being strokes or seizures, the attending physician for Congress said in a letter addressed to the senator and released on Tuesday.
Dr. Brian Monahan said the 81-year-old Kentucky Republican underwent a comprehensive neurology assessment, including imaging of his brain and a test to measure its electrical activity, after he appeared to freeze on Wednesday.
“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,” Monahan said.
“There are no changes recommended in treatment protocols as you continue recovery from your March 2023 fall.”
McConnell appeared to freeze for several seconds during a news conference last week. He gave only brief responses to members of his team for about 30 seconds after he was asked whether he planned to run for re-election in 2026.
The incident came about a month after a separate news conference in which McConnell appeared to freeze for several seconds. On July 26, he froze for dozens of seconds before being as ushered away from a podium. He later returned, telling reporters, “I’m fine.”
An aide told CNN at the time that the senator “felt lightheaded and stepped away for a moment.”
The recent public health episodes have intensified scrutiny of McConnell’s health. He was first elected to the Senate in 1984 and in January became the longest-serving party leader in the chamber’s history.
In March, McConnell suffered a concussion and a rib fracture when he tripped and fell at a hotel in Washington, D.C. He underwent physical therapy for weeks before returning to work in the Senate in mid-April, Bloomberg News reported.
Through the years American politician US Senator Mitch McConnell speaks at microphone during a gathering of Republican Party women candidates, Washington DC, June 1992. (Photo by Laura Patterson/CQ Roll Call Collection/PhotoQuest/Getty Images) (PhotoQuest/Getty Images)
Through the years Washington, DC. USA, 1997 Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) speaks to reporters outside the ABC studios in Washington DC. after his appearance on the Sunday morning talk show "This Week". (Mark Reinstein/Getty Images)
Through the years WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 02: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) holds a weekly news conference at the U.S. Capitol October 2, 2009 in Washington, DC. McConnell said that the proposed health care legislation will hurt Medicare. He emphasized that the Democrats control both houses of Congress together with the White House. McConnell deduced that health care reform would therefore not be sunk through the Republican party. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Through the years WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 21: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), with a copy of the Senate's health care reform legislation in front of him, holds a news conference regarding the bill on Capitol Hill on November 21, 2009 in Washington, DC. The Senate is expected to cast a procedural vote on the measure later today after Senate Democrats said they secured enough votes needed to propel major health care legislation to the floor for debate. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images)
Through the years LOUISVILLE, KY - NOVEMBER 4: U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) speaks accompanied by his wife Elaine Chao at his election night event November 4, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky. McConnell defeated Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes. (Photo by Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images) (Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images)
Through the years WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 21: Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R) (R-WI) laughs as Sen. Chuck Schumer (C) (D-NY) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell drive nails into a piece of lumber at the "First Nail Ceremony" September 21, 2016 outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. The ceremony marked the official launch of construction on the Inaugural platform where the next President of the United States will take the oath of office on Friday, January 20, 2017.
(Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Through the years WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 24: U.S. President Donald Trump (R) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) walk to a lunch with Senate Republicans on Capitol Hill, October 24, 2017 in Washington, DC. Trump joined the senators to talk about upcoming legislation, including the proposed GOP tax cuts and reform. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Through the years WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 06: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) talks to reporters after the Senate voted to confirm Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh at the U.S. Capitol October 06, 2018 in Washington, DC. The Senate voted 50-48 to confirm Kavanaugh to replace retired Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Through the years WASHINGTON, DC JANUARY 15: (L-R) Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell stand for the presentation of colors during a Congressional Gold Medal ceremony at the U.S. Capitol on January 15, 2020 in Washington, DC. Congress awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to former NFL player and advocate for patients with Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS) Steve Gleason. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Through the years LOUISVILLE, KY - NOVEMBER 03: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), delivers his victory speech next to his wife, Elaine Chao, at the Omni Louisville Hotel on November 3, 2020 in Louisville, Kentucky. McConnell has reportedly defeated his opponent, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Amy McGrath, marking his seventh consecutive U.S. Senate win. (Photo by Jon Cherry/Getty Images) (Jon Cherry/Getty Images)
Through the years WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 10: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) speaks to reporters following the Senate Republican policy luncheon which both President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence attended on March 10, 2020 in Washington, DC. Lawmakers focused on the spread of the coronavirus and the state of the economy as markets react to the virus during the luncheon. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images) (Samuel Corum/Getty Images)
Through the years WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 2: (L-R) Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) shakes hands with Supreme Court Nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson at the beginning of their meeting in McConnell's office at the U.S. Capitol on March 2, 2022 in Washington, DC. Judge Jackson will meet with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Wednesday morning ahead of her confirmation hearings. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)