The Capitol's attending physician, Dr. Brian Monahan, has stated in a recent letter that there is no indication that Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell has a seizure disorder, suffered a stroke, or has a movement disorder like Parkinson's disease. This evaluation followed two recent incidents where McConnell appeared to freeze in front of TV cameras. The letter, released by McConnell's office, addresses concerns about his health and ability to continue leading the Senate GOP Conference. After experiencing the freezing episode in Kentucky, McConnell was evaluated by four neurologists, and Monahan conducted various assessments, including brain MRI imaging and electrical brain imaging tests.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN's Chief Medical Correspondent, pointed out that EEG studies provide a snapshot of a person's condition at a specific time and may not definitively rule out a seizure. However, the tests McConnell underwent were comprehensive and informative.
McConnell briefly mentioned his recent health incident and reassured that he had a busy and productive August during his floor remarks. Senate GOP leadership members dismissed concerns about his health after their weekly meeting.
McConnell is expected to address his health during a closed-door conference meeting with Republican senators on Wednesday. Senators expressed varying levels of confidence in his ability to lead, with some believing he can continue effectively, while others raised doubts, citing his previous concussion and recent health incidents.
In summary, Dr. Monahan's letter clears McConnell of having a seizure disorder, stroke, or movement disorder like Parkinson's disease, addressing concerns raised by his recent health incidents. However, questions remain about his ability to lead and whether he will continue in the next Congress, which starts in 2025.