Senate Republican Minority leader Mitch McConnell recently froze again for about 30 seconds while speaking at a press conference in Kentucky last Wednesday. The 81-year old Republican Senator exhibited the same freezing interlude in Washington that occurred nearly a month ago. It turned out that in March of this year, McConnell fell and hit his head during a hotel dinner event.
The Kentucky senator broke a rib and suffered a concussion and broke a rib after falling and hitting He was confined in a hospital for five nights and underwent physical therapy after his release from the hospital.
What Medical Experts are Saying about McConnell’s Freeze Episodes
Dr. Brian Monahan, the Congressional physician who evaluated Senator McConnell’s health condition, said he has consulted with the senator’s neurology team before giving the senator clearance to continue and carry on senate schedule. Dr. Monahan gave a brief statement on explaining that the senator’s freeze spells are likely connected to the injuries he suffered last March.
Other medical experts gave their opinion about freezing spells as one that could be connected to either Parkinson’s disease or a traumatic brain injury, such as the concussion suffered in March by the 81-year old senator.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN’s medical reporter who is a neurosurgeon by profession, also said that the freeze spells could be connected to the Senator’s falls. Dr. Gupta added that while there is a long list of possibilities, the freezing episodes are quite concerning. The Kentucky senator froze in the middle of a speech while his body was immobile but grasping tightly at the sides of the lectern.