Capitol Doc Rules Out Stroke, Seizure Disorder in McConnell Freeze-Ups

WASHINGTON — In a letter released Tuesday, Brian Monahan, the attending physician for Congress, said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., does not have a seizure disorder and did not suffer a stroke when he appeared to suddenly go blank during a press conference last week.

McConnell, who is 81, appeared to freeze up for about 30 seconds during a briefing with reporters in Covington, Kentucky, on Wednesday.

The episode came just over a month after he froze up during his weekly press conference in the Capitol.

At that time, he broke off in mid-sentence and stared straight ahead without saying anything for several seconds before being escorted away from the press conference.

Last Wednesday’s incident was very similar, with McConnell freezing up for as long as 30 seconds before an aide intervened and walked him away.

Since then, McConnell’s office has taken pains to show the longtime Republican leader is fine.

Monahan’s latest note follows an equally brief letter he released last week in which he said, “Occasional lightheadedness is not uncommon in concussion recovery and can also be expected as a result of dehydration.”

McConnell, who was first elected to the Senate in 1984, was hospitalized in March after he tripped and fell at a Washington, D.C., hotel.

He was attending a private dinner when he tripped. He was admitted to a hospital for treatment, spokesman Doug Andres said at the time.

In his latest letter, Monahan said his examination of McConnell after Wednesday’s incident “included several medical evaluations: brain MRI imaging, EEG study and consultations with several neurologists for a comprehensive neurology assessment.” 

“There are no changes recommended in treatment protocols as you continue recovery from your March 2023 fall,” the physician added.

McConnell also suffered a fall in 2019, while at his home in Kentucky. Afterwards he underwent surgery to repair a fracture in his shoulder.

The Senate had just started a summer recess at the time of that incident, and McConnell worked from home for several weeks as he recovered.

Dan can be reached at [email protected] and @DanMcCue