U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) leaves his Washington home to return to work on the U.S. Senate, lower than per week after he froze for greater than 30 seconds whereas talking to reporters at an occasion in his house state of Kentucky, in Washington, September 5, 2023.
Jonathan Ernst | Reuters
Brain scans performed on Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell discovered no proof he has a seizure dysfunction or skilled a stroke in reference to the newest of two episodes of freezing up as he spoke in public, a physician mentioned Tuesday.
Dr. Brian Monahan, the attending doctor for Congress, additionally advised McConnell in a letter that there is no such thing as a proof that the Kentucky Republican has “a movement disorder such as Parkinson’s disease.”
“There are no changes recommended in treatment protocols as you continue recovery from your March 2023 fall,” Monahan wrote.
The 81-year-old McConnell was hospitalized in early March after struggling a concussion from a fall at at resort throughout a personal dinner in Washington, D.C.
McConnell froze up whereas talking to reporters on Wednesday in Covington, Kentucky. He stood at a lectern for about 30 seconds with out talking after being requested a query.
He skilled the same episode whereas talking to reporters on July 26 within the Capitol throughout a press convention by Senate Republicans.
Monahan in his letter wrote that he examined McConnell after the second “brief episode.”
That examination “including several medical evaluations: brain MRI imaging, EEG study and consultations with several neurologists for a comprehensive neurology assessment.”
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) waves as he leaves his Washington home to return to work on the U.S. Senate, lower than per week after he froze for greater than 30 seconds whereas talking to reporters at an occasion in his house state of Kentucky, in Washington, September 5, 2023.
Jonathan Ernst | Reuters
In addition to ruling out a stroke, Monahan additionally dominated out the prospect that McConnell had a transient ischemic assault, which is “a stroke that lasts only a few minutes,” in response to the National Institutes of Health.
Monahan on Thursday had issued a letter saying he consulted with McConnell and “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,” the physician wrote. “Occasional lightheadedness is not uncommon in concussion recovery and can also be expected as a result of dehydration.”
