Capitol Doctor Says McConnell

Washington — The attending doctor of Congress stated Thursday that Senate Minority Chief Mitch McConnell is medically clear to proceed along with his duties after the Republican senator skilled a second freezing episode whereas answering questions from reporters in Kentucky.

“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,” Dr. Brian Monahan, who oversees the medical well-being of members of Congress, stated in a letter distributed by McConnell’s workplace. 

“Occasional lightheadedness is not uncommon in concussion recovery and can also be expected as a result of dehydration,” he stated. McConnell, 81, suffered a concussion in March after falling at a personal dinner occasion in Washington, D.C.

Issues about McConnell arose after the Kentucky senator appeared to freeze for roughly 30 seconds whereas answering a reporter’s query throughout an occasion in his house state. The episode marked the second time within the span of roughly a month that McConnell has stopped talking all of a sudden for a number of seconds.

A spokesperson for the GOP chief stated after the incident that he felt “momentarily lightheaded and paused” through the press convention. And aide to the senator stated McConnell would seek the advice of a doctor earlier than his subsequent occasion.

Hours after the episode, McConnell attended a fundraiser with GOP Rep. Jim Banks, who’s operating for the Senate in Indiana.

The now two incidents have prompted questions concerning the well being of McConnell, who’s the longest-serving celebration chief within the Senate. McConnell’s GOP Senate colleagues have provided him well-wishes following the freezing episode Wednesday, and President Biden instructed reporters on Thursday he spoke to the senator and does not have considerations about McConnell’s skill to do his job on Capitol Hill.

“He was his old self on the telephone,” the president stated after talking at FEMA’s headquarters in Washington. “Having a little understanding of dealing with neurosurgeons … it’s not at all unusual to have the response that sometimes happens to Mitch when you’ve had a severe concussion. It’s part of the recovery and so I’m confident he’s going to be back to his old self.”