Physician Releases McConnell Evaluation After Second Freeze-Up Scare

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is cleared to continue working, the attending physician of the U.S. Congress said in a brief note on Thursday — roughly 24 hours after the lawmaker appeared to freeze up at a press conference for the second time in a month.

“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,” said Dr. Brian Monahan.

“Occasional lightheadedness is not uncommon in concussion recovery and can also be expected as a result of dehydration,” the physician added.

McConnell, 81, struggled to respond to a question about his thoughts on running for re-election in 2026 during an event in Kentucky on Wednesday, as shown in a video clip posted to X from NBC affiliate WLWT. He was assisted by two people in the room, and after a pause, McConnell appeared to be able to take a couple more questions before he ended the press conference.

BREAKING NEWS: Sen. Mitch McConnell appearing to have another scary episode in the media gaggle in Covington today. Aides had to step in to help him out and repeat questions. He was eventually lead away. We'll have the full video on @WLWT pic.twitter.com/q9ex5MHxLV

— Hannah Thomas (@HannahPThomas) August 30, 2023

McConnell “felt momentarily lightheaded and paused during his press conference today,” a spokesperson for the minority leader told The Daily Wire on Wednesday.

“While he feels fine, as a prudential measure, the Leader will be consulting a physician prior to his next event,” an aide added.

After the tense moment, President Joe Biden said he planned to call his “good friend” McConnell to check up on the senator. On Thursday, Biden said they had a conversation and that McConnell “was his old self on the telephone.”

Several weeks earlier, McConnell momentarily froze while speaking to the press on Capitol Hill. After being escorted away from the podium, McConnell returned a short time later and said he was “fine.”

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While it was already known that McConnell sustained a concussion after a fall earlier this year, reports came out after the top Republican’s news conference freeze in late July that he had fallen at least two other times in the preceding months.

McConnell is part of a cadre of older politicians at or over the age of 80 who have drawn health concerns and pressure to retire, including Biden and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA).