Capitol-based physician, Dr. Brian Monahan, has stated in a new letter that there is no evidence that Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell has a condition requiring treatment or has experienced movement disorders like a stroke or Parkinson’s disease – this evaluation of the 81-year-old Kentuckian followed recent concerns about his health after two health-related incidents in front of TV cameras recently.
McConnell’s office released a new letter on Tuesday, marking the second time in several months that his health has come into question after being filmed in front of cameras, Crafting a wholly unique sentence, pondering if the GOP’s top figure can uphold his influential role. According to someone familiar with the matter, last week in Covington, Kentucky, after fainting, McConnell underwent a neurological evaluation by four neurologists.
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Monahan said in Tuesday’s letter that he had consulted with McConnell’s neurologist and conducted several evaluations, including a brain MRI and a test that measures electrical imaging of the brain.
The letter stated, “There is no evidence that you have a condition that requires treatment or have experienced a stroke, TIA, or movement disorder.”
In his recent presence on “Anderson Cooper 360” aired on Tuesday, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN’s primary medical correspondent, remarked that these assessments capture a singular moment in the timeline.
Gupta said, “Someone can have an event, then have a normal EEG, and then have an event later.” He said McConnell’s tests were quite extensive and important.
“But I can assure you that August was a busy and productive month in the nation’s capital for me and my team,” McConnell said during comments on the Senate floor on Tuesday, while revealing his plans to appear with his staff on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. McConnell elaborated on programs in which he had participated during the recess and recounted stops for water during one of his vacations.
Senate GOP team members dismissed health concerns about McConnell as soon as they emerged from their weekly meeting on Tuesday evening.
Texas Senator John Cornyn told CNN that McConnell could discuss his health in private with Republican senators in a closed-door room on Wednesday.
“I think he understands,” Cornyn said, addressing the conference during Wednesday’s lunchtime. “He understands transparency is his friend, and I think a lot of this speculation can be put to rest.”
When asked by CNN if they supported McConnell staying on as leader in the next Congress, Senate GOP Whip John Thune said, “I don’t want to start speculating about that. However, I wholeheartedly back him, and he will enjoy the conference’s unwavering support.”
It’s still not clear why McConnell paused for about 30 seconds each time.
The Republican leader’s office had attributed the recent pair of incidents to “a sense of light headedness,” and In a previous communication, Monahan had noted that experiencing dizziness after an injury was “a fairly common occurrence.” McConnell’s fall in March at a Washington hotel led to a head injury and a fractured shoulder, which necessitated his absence from the Senate for approximately six weeks.
This note has come at a time when the Senate returned to session on Tuesday after a five-week break, and GOP senators might have to address the question of whether they think the Republican leader can continue to lead their conference, as he has for the past 16 years – longer than any leader in Senate history. There’s hope that McConnell will remain leader in this Congress, but questions are arising about whether he will continue to work in the next Congress, which begins in 2025.
GOP Senator Susan Collins from Maine said she spoke to McConnell the day after the recent fainting incident and believes he is “fully prepared” to carry out his duties.
When asked if he had any concerns about McConnell’s health, Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming told CNN, “I don’t know.” “I talked to Leader McConnell the day after the incident. He seemed fine. We talked about resuming business this week, and I think he’s fully prepared and capable of carrying out his duties.”