Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) gave a health update after he froze during two public events over the summer.
In an interview with “Face the Nation” on Sunday morning with CBS News senior foreign affairs correspondent Margaret Brennan, McConnell, 81, addressed concerns over his health.
“I’m fine. I’m completely recovered and just fine,” he said.
Furthermore, McConnell assured he was “in good shape, completely recovered, and back on the job.”
When Brennan continued to press him about his ability to continue serving, McConnell responded, “I think we ought to be talking about what we were talking about earlier rather than my health.”
On Aug. 30, he froze during an event for the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce while speaking to the press.
About a month earlier, McConnell froze mid-sentence for a few seconds during a press conference, according to CBS News.
On Aug. 31, Congress’ attending physician Dr. Brian Monahan wrote a letter which medically cleared McConnell, who is “the longest-serving Senate Party Leader in American history, elected to lead the Republican conference nine times since 2006,” as of Jan. 23, 2023, per Republican Leader – Senate.
“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,” Monahan wrote.
He added, “Occasional lightheadedness is not uncommon in concussion recovery and can also be expected as a result of dehydration.”
However, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) shared his skepticism over McConnell’s medical report.
“You know I’ve practiced medicine for over 20 years. I’ve seen people who are dehydrated. What’s occurring, from what I’ve seen, is a neurological event, it’s not dehydration,” Paul said, according to a report from Politico.
He continued, “I think my advice would be to be more forthcoming with what’s going on.”