Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-Ky.) unsettling freezing episodes during public addresses have been linked to a concussion he had earlier in 2023, according to a statement by Capitol physician, Brian P. Monahan.
What Happened: Monahan, has cleared McConnell to resume his duties after a recent incident where the Senate Minority Leader froze mid-speech during a press conference in Kentucky, reported Insider.
NBC Capitol Hill correspondent Ryan Nobles shared a note from Monahan on X, formerly Twitter, in which the physician said he had conferred with McConnell’s neurology team and that he was “medically clear to continue with his schedule as planned.
He said, “Occasional lightheadedness is not uncommon in concussion recovery and can also be expected as a result of dehydration.”
Monahan connected the episode to a concussion McConnell suffered in 2023. McConnell’s health has been a concern, with incidents of him freezing mid-speech arising on more than one occasion. In addition to his concussion, McConnell’s health challenges this year include rib fractures and two falls.
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Why It Matters: McConnell’s repeated freezing episodes during public speeches have sparked concerns and prompted discussions about term limits.
In July, McConnell was led away by his Republican colleagues mid-sentence during a press conference in Washington, DC, citing lightheadedness.
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, called McConnell’s freezing episode “insane” and propagated the need for a constitutional amendment to implement term limits for members of the United States Congress.
Nikki Haley, former Governor of South Carolina, who is running to become president in 2024, called for a for a “new generation” of leaders and supported term limits in response to McConnell’s health issues.
In August, another such episode occurred in Kentucky, which led to calls for term limits by several political figures.
Despite these concerns, President Joe Biden has expressed no immediate worries about McConnell’s ability to perform his duties.
Photo by Consolidated News Photos on Shutterstock
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