Mitch McConnell refuses to say whether he is fit to serve in Congress, but claims he has 'recovered' after freezing up in public
- Mitch McConnell sparked health concerns after a series of public freeze-ups this summer.
- Speaking to CBS on Sunday, the 81-year-old said he was "completely recovered."
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to answer whether or not he is fit to continue serving in Congress.
In an interview with CBS' "Face the Nation" on Sunday, the 81-year-old said he was "completely recovered" and "back on the job" despite two public on-camera freeze-ups over the summer that raised concerns about his health.
"I'm in good shape — completely recovered and back on the job," McConnell told CBS moderator Margaret Brennan.
But when Brennan asked about his ability and desire to continue serving in Congress, the senator appeared to dodge the question, saying only: "I think we ought to be talking about what we were talking about earlier, rather than my health."
Before the question, Brennan and McConnell had been discussing foreign policy.
The interview comes after the senator said last month that he had no plans to step down prematurely or retire before the end of his term.
Over the summer, McConnell sparked health concerns after appearing startled and disoriented at press conferences in Kentucky and Washington.
Videos show McConnell freezing up and struggling to answer questions from reporters. At the time, Congress physician Dr. Brian Monahan ruled out a seizure, stroke, or movement disorder.
But other physicians, who did not examine the senator and only watched the videos, told multiple media outlets that the freeze-ups could be indicative of mini-seizures.
Already the longest-serving party leader in US Senate history, McConnell's current term as leader expires in January 2025. But his term as a senator runs through January 2027.
In March, McConnell tripped at a Washington dinner and was admitted to a hospital for treatment of a concussion.
Insider contacted McConnell's office for comment but did not immediately receive a response.