CNN
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said Brian Monahan, Capitol’s attending physician A new letter Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell found no evidence he had epilepsy — or that he experienced a movement disorder such as a stroke or Parkinson’s disease — after a panel of neurologists continued to evaluate the 81-year-old Kentuckian. Two recent health scares In front of television cameras.
The new letter, released by McConnell’s office on Tuesday, comes after he froze in front of the cameras for the second time in as many months, raising questions about whether the GOP leader will be able to maintain his powerful position at the Senate GOP convention. After freezing last week in Covington, Kentucky, McConnell was evaluated by four neurologists, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Monahan said in Tuesday’s letter that he consulted with McConnell’s neurologists and performed several evaluations, including brain MRI imaging and a test that measures electrical imaging in the brain.
“There is no evidence that you have epilepsy or that you have experienced a stroke, TIA or movement disorder such as Parkinson’s disease,” the letter states.
On “Anderson Cooper 360” Tuesday, CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta noted that an EEG study is a snapshot in time.
“One can have a seizure, then have a normal EEG, and then have a seizure,” Gupta said, adding that McConnell’s tests were more comprehensive and significant.
“They can give you a fair amount of information, but they can’t rule out a seizure. Again, they can give you that snapshot in time,” he said.
McConnell referred to his frostbite episode, saying, “There was a particular moment in my time back home that has gotten its attention and the attention of the press over the last week.”
“But I can assure you, August was a busy and productive month for me and my staff at Commonwealth,” he said during comments on Tuesday. McConnell took a break from attending events, pausing once to take a drink of water.
Members of the Senate GOP leadership committee dismissed concerns about McConnell’s health as they emerged from their weekly meeting Tuesday evening.
McConnell is expected to address his health during a closed-door conference call with Republican senators on Wednesday, Texas Sen. John Cornyn told CNN.
00:46 – Source: WLWT
McConnell froze as he spoke to reporters
“I think he understands,” Cornyn said of McConnell, who addressed the conference at a luncheon Wednesday. “I think transparency is his friend, and I think it eliminates a lot of speculation.
When asked by CNN if he supported McConnell continuing as president in the next Congress, Senate GOP Whip John Thune said: “I don’t want to start speculating about that. But he has my full support and will have the support of the conference. ” It is still unclear why McConnell froze for about 30 seconds each time.
The Republican president’s office said both frozen moments were “ideal,” and Monahan pointed out in an earlier letter that it was “not unusual” for concussion victims to feel light-headed. McConnell suffered a concussion and broken ribs after falling and hitting his head at a Washington hotel in March, keeping him out of the Senate for nearly six weeks.
When the Senate returns to session Tuesday after a five-week recess, GOP senators are expected to grapple with the question of whether the Republican leader can continue to hold his convention for the past 16 years. President in Senate history. McConnell is expected to remain president this Congress, but there are growing questions about whether he will continue to serve in the next Congress, which begins in 2025.
01:07 – Source: CNN
McConnell froze during a July 2023 press conference
GOP Sen. Susan Collins said she spoke with McConnell the day after the latest frostbite and felt he was “absolutely ready” to handle her job.
“I’m not,” the Maine Republican told CNN when asked if he had any concerns about McConnell’s health. “The day after the incident I spoke with Chief McConnell. He sounded great. We talked about the resumption of business this week and I feel he will be fully prepared and able to perform his duties.
Even though McConnell does a 20-second “checkout” a day, he still does “a good job” the rest of the time, Utah’s GOP Sen. Mitt Romney said.
“The truth is, we can expect Mitch McConnell to check out 20 seconds a day, but for the other 86,380 seconds in a day, he’s doing a pretty good job,” he said.
But not all GOP senators were satisfied with McConnell’s explanation. Fellow Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul called the diagnosis of dehydration an “inadequate explanation” and said his 25 years of clinical experience “doesn’t look like dehydration.”
In an interview with CNN, Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville said McConnell has not fully recovered from the concussion he suffered earlier this year and he is concerned McConnell may not be able to do his job.
While he said he wanted McConnell to be chairman, Tuberville said he wanted to hear from Kentucky Republicans at a full conference meeting on Wednesday.
“There’s a lot of stuff that’s going to be on the head. And can he do it? I mean, it’s like a quarterback. I hope he can,” the former Auburn University football coach said.
“In my career, I’ve seen kids struggle for a long time after a concussion,” Tuberville said. “That’s the reason you don’t play them after that. Do not return to sports until you are fully recovered. And it is clear that he is completely unwell.
Clarification: This article has been updated to clarify that McConnell was told by a Capitol doctor that there was no evidence the senator had epilepsy.
