Mitch McConnell Defends Health in Rare Sunday Morning Interview: 'I'm Completely Recovered'
In one of his first TV appearances since freezing on two separate occasions this summer, the 81-year-old Senate minority leader told CBS News' Margaret Brennan that he's "back on the job"
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Mitch McConnellMitch McConnell says he's "back on the job" and "completely recovered" after two recent incidents in which he froze mid-press conference, raising concerns about his health.
"I'm fine. I'm completely recovered, and I'm just fine," the 81-year-old Senate minority leader said in a Sunday morning interview on CBS News' Face the Nation.
After moderator Margaret Brennan asked about his health, McConnell responded, "I'm in good shape, completely recovered and back on the job," before adding, "I think we ought to be talking about what we were talking about earlier, rather than my health."
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Mitch McConnellSpeculation about McConnell's health intensified when the Kentucky senator froze during a press conference in July.
The lawmaker's colleagues surrounded him after he froze, asking if he wanted to go back to his office. The minority leader turned away from the podium and stood nearby while others took the microphone. Soon after, McConnell returned to the podium, where he answered questions about what had just occurred.
"Could you address what happened here at the start of the press conference and was it related to your injury from earlier this year where you suffered a concussion?" one reporter asked — a reference to a fall the Republican had in March.
"I'm fine," McConnell responded at the time.
Related: Mitch McConnell Suffered Previously Undisclosed Falls Prior to Freezing Incident on Camera: Report
A month later, McConnell again froze when a reporter asked him whether he intended to run for reelection in 2026. An aide came to his side to repeat the question before telling reporters he needed a moment.
“Leader McConnell felt momentarily lightheaded and paused during his press conference today,” McConnell's spokesperson said shortly after the second incident. An aide added, "While he feels fine, as a prudential measure, the Leader will be consulting a physician prior to his next event."
In September, Dr. Brian Monaghan, the attending physician of U.S. Congress, wrote in a letter that McConnell had undergone an examination shortly after the second "brief episode" and that it uncovered "no evidence" of stroke or seizure.
Monaghan said the exam included MRI imaging, an EEG study and "consultations with several neurologists for a comprehensive neurology assessment."
"There is no evidence that you have a seizure disorder or that you experienced a stroke, TIA [also known as a mini stroke], or movement disorder such as Parkinson’s disease," Monaghan continued in the letter, which is addressed to the Kentucky senator.
"There are no changes recommended in treatment protocols as you continue recovery from your March 2023 fall," the letter added.
Both freezing incidents occurred in the months after McConnell spent nearly five days at a hospital following a fall in Washington, D.C. in March.
A spokesperson said at the time of the fall that McConnell's medical team discovered a minor rib fracture, along with a concussion that caused him to remain in the hospital "for a few days of observation and treatment."
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In November, McConnell defeated Florida Sen. Rick Scott in the Senate GOP's leadership election, continuing his run as the caucus' longest-serving leader, a position he's held since 2007.
McConnell's current term is slated to end in January of 2027.
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