Sen. Mitch McConnell was medically cleared by Congress’ top doctor Thursday after the powerful Republican leader froze up during a public appearance for the second time in as many months.
Dr. Brian Monahan, the attending physician of Congress, said the disturbing incidents were likely not a sign of any serious medical problem and should not prevent McConnell from carrying out his duties.
The doctor described McConnell’s episode as “lightheadedness” and suggested it could be related to a fall last spring that caused a concussion.
“Occasional lightheadedness is not uncommon in concussion recovery and can also be expected as a result of dehydration,” Monahan wrote in a brief statement.
President Biden said he spoke to McConnell Thursday, and his longtime friend and colleague sounded normal.
“He was his old self,” Biden said during a visit to the Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters.
The latest scare for McConnell came Wednesday when he froze at an event in Kentucky when a reporter asked a question about whether he planned to run for election in 2026.
Aides repeated the question for McConnell, then sought to intercede when the longtime senator clearly wasn’t able to respond.
After about 30 seconds, McConnell gathered himself and continued to answer questions without any noticeable problem.
He spoke with members of the GOP leadership later Wednesday to reassure them he was fine.
Not everyone was satisfied.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a critic of McConnell and staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump, called the veteran establishment Republican leader “unfit for office.”
Democrats and Republicans alike have called for Sen. Dianne Feinstein to step down as the 90-year-old California Democrat has struggled with illness and old age.
McConnell also froze up in July at a news conference on Capitol Hill. He fell silent for about 20 seconds in that incident before being hustled out of a room by aides.
He returned after a brief break and continued his news conference.
In March, McConnell suffered a concussion when he tripped and fell during a GOP fund-raising event. He spent several days in the hospital but was given a clean bill of health.
