Mitch McConnell says he’s ‘fine’ after multiple freezing episodes

The Hill

McConnell provoked widespread concern after he paused mid-sentence during a weekly press conference in July, trailing off and staring blankly for more than twenty seconds. McConnell froze again in August when speaking in his home state of Kentucky.

Attending Physician to Congress Brian Monahan said McConnell is cleared to continue his normal work schedule, and that he had been diagnosed with extreme dehydration. File Image.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky, claims that he is “fine” after two separate freezing episodes that sparked discussion over the eighty-one-year-old lawmaker’s health.

McConnell told Margaret Brennan of Face the Nation on Sunday that he feels “fine” now and was able to perform his normal duties as Minority Leader. Brennan asked if there was anything about his health “the public should know about but wasn’t disclosed,” particularly “at a time when we are talking about incredible dysfunction in Washington.”

"I'm in good shape, completely recovered and back on the job," McConnell replied. “I think we ought to be talking about what we were talking about earlier, rather than my health.”

After @LeaderMcConnell had health episodes in public following a concussion, @margbrennan asks if there's anything about his health "the public should know that wasn't disclosed."

"I'm in good shape, completely recovered and back on the job," McConnell says. pic.twitter.com/Coi528ssxi
— Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) October 22, 2023

McConnell has served for almost four decades in the Senate. Attending Physician to Congress Brian Monahan said that McConnell is medically cleared to continue his normal work schedule, and that he had been diagnosed with extreme dehydration.

"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," Monahan wrote in a note after his two freezing episodes. “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. There are no changes recommended in treatment protocols as you continue recovery from your March 2023 fall.”

Senator Rand Paul, a Republican from Kentucky and also a physician, said there may be more issues with McConnell’s health and that he does not think the doctor gave a proper diagnosis. “Everybody’s seen the clips,” the lawmaker contended. “It’s not a valid medical diagnosis for people to say that’s dehydration.”

“If you’re giving advice on, you know, what someone’s potential diagnosis is, really it ought to be based on the facts,” he added. “And what I can tell you is that having vacant spells of thirty seconds or more where you’re unresponsive is not a sign or a symptom of dehydration.”