President Joe Biden came to the defense of Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell when addressing health concerns about McConnell during a press conference.
The president emphasized that McConnell’s “response” during recovery from a concussion was not out of the ordinary.
McConnell suffered a concussion after a March 8 fall at Washington’s Waldorf-Astoria hotel, according to a report from the New York Post.
The senate majority leader also fell July 14 exiting an airplane at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in northern Virginia, the Post reported.
Thirteen days after his second fall, McConnell seemed to freeze while answering a reporter’s question at the Capitol. The Senate Republican leader was led away by colleagues but returned to take additional questions.
Earlier this week, McConnell had another momentary freeze during a news conference, the Post report added, noting this marked the second such episode this summer.
The latest episode sparked concerns among donors and fellow Republicans about the health of the 81-year-old senator.
Biden said he spoke with McConnell and he seemed fine.
“I spoke to Mitch,” the president informed reporters Thursday. “He’s a friend and I spoke to him today. And, you know, he was his old self on the telephone.”
“And one of the leading women on my staff, her husband’s a neurosurgeon as well,” he added. “It’s not at all unusual to have the response that sometimes happens to Mitch when you’ve had a severe concussion.
“It’s part of the recovery,” concluded Biden, “And so, I’m confident he’s going to be back to his old self.”
Some media figures and political personalities have been advocating for term limits to ensure the well-being of aging lawmakers.
The senator’s office claimed his momentary pauses were due to “lightheadedness,” noting his doctor has given him the go-ahead to continue his duties.
McConnell was cleared to continue to work Thursday, the Post reported. Capitol Attending physician Dr. Brian Monahan said in a statement he consulted with McConnell and his neurology team.
“Occasional lightheadedness is not uncommon in concussion recovery and can also be expected as a result of dehydration,” Monahan said.
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