Maya Martin, Editor

COVINGTON, Ky. – Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell freezes in front of reporters for a second time, raising health concerns for the 81-year-old.

During a press event held in Kentucky, Mitch McConnell appeared to pause for over 30 seconds when being questioned by reporters. While aides tried to regroup McConnell, he continued to freeze and stare off into the distance.

This event occurred just over a month after the senator froze up again while speaking with reporters at Capitol Hill in July. The freeze-up lasted around 15 seconds and caused many questions for those watching. Both instances, recorded and shared across media platforms, have been widely viewed and raise concerns for McConnell’s health.

McConnell suffered from a concussion in March after tripping at a dinner event, so many Americans are wondering if the three incidents are correlated. After the fall, “He was hospitalized for several days and received additional treatment at an inpatient rehabilitation facility,” CBS News reported. “McConnell returned to the Senate more than a month after the fall.”

Worried about McConnell’s health, President Biden commented on the freeze-up saying, “Mitch is a friend… so I’m going to try to get in touch with him later this afternoon.”

With these ongoing concerns for McConnell’s health, it opens up the question: Is he healthy and able enough to hold his position? McConnell’s senate minority leader position goes through 2024, while his term in the senate runs through 2026, according to The New York Times.

“I am going to finish my term as leader, and I’m going to finish my Senate term,” McConnell said to reporters. He continues to dismiss questions from reporters about his health after both freeze-up occurrences.

The Capitol Hill attending physician, Brian Monahan, evaluated McConnell after his repeated health scares. McConnell’s office released Monahan’s physician’s note where he states that the senator underwent, “Brain MRI imaging, EEG study and consultations with several neurologists for a comprehensive neurology assessment.”

After thorough assessment, however, Monahan’s analysis concluded, “There are no changes recommended in treatment protocols as you [Mitch McConnell] continue recovery from your March 2023 fall.”

Although the Capitol Hill physician invalidates any possible health issues Mitch McConnell may have, onlookers still have doubt, especially considering McConnell’s age. According to the New York Times, “Several medical professionals who watched video of Mr. McConnell’s episodes suggested he had been experiencing focal seizures or mini strokes.”

Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky also agrees that the health analysis made by Brian Monahan was not reliable. In addition to his position in the Senate, Paul is also a well credited physician. In response to the medical examination, Paul said, “I don’t think it’s been particularly helpful to have the Senate doctor describing it as dehydration, which I think even a non-physician seeing that probably aren’t really accepting that explanation.”

Although Rand Paul and Mitch McConnell seem to frequently clash within the GOP, Paul still is a praised physician. Paul said, “Everybody’s seen the clips, it’s not a valid medical diagnosis for people to say that’s dehydration.”

Although Senator Mitch McConnell himself and the Capitol Hill physician claim McConnell is healthy enough to continue his term, only time will tell how McConnell’s health progresses. With ongoing concerns about current politicians’ older ages, this health scare is yet another reason Americans are questioning the abilities of many American political figures.