Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell was deemed fit for work by the congressional doctor on Thursday, although his two narrow absences raised serious concerns.
• Also read: Is Mitch McConnell still fit? Watch a doctor’s analysis
• Also read: Mitch McConnell freezes in public again
While driving in his home state of Kentucky on Wednesday, Senator McConnell, 81, appeared paralyzed for about thirty seconds and was unable to answer a question from a reporter.
Breaking News: Sen. Mitch McConnell appears to be experiencing another spooky episode in the media frenzy today in Covington. Helpers had to step in to help him and ask questions. He was eventually taken away. We show the complete video @WLWT pic.twitter.com/q9ex5MHxLV
— Hannah Thomas (@HannahPThomas) August 30, 2023
The episode immediately renewed criticism of the aging of the American political class, sometimes referred to as a gerontocracy.
“After assessing the situation yesterday, I have informed Senate Republican Leader McConnell that he is medically able to return to his schedule as planned,” doctor Brian Monahan said in a letter obtained by the environment of the Senator was published.
The Republican tenor had already experienced a very similar episode on July 26th, when he froze for no reason in the middle of a press conference in the Capitol before his entourage asked him to disappear.
“Occasional dizziness is not uncommon after a concussion and can also be the result of dehydration,” his doctor said.
In March, the octogenarian senator was hospitalized after a fall during a private dinner that resulted in a concussion, a broken rib and nearly six weeks off work.
Mitch McConnell, the undisputed leader of the Senate Republicans since 2015, has been at the forefront of the fight against the policies of the administration of Democratic President Barack Obama and, since 2021, those of President Biden.
When asked about Mitch McConnell’s health, President Joe Biden said he spoke with the senator on Thursday “who remained true to himself on the phone.”