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Congressman, 76, freezes mid-speech, Mitch McConnell in a wheelchair. Can we visit term limits, please!

February 11, 2025 | | Print Article

Two back-to-back medical incidents on Capitol Hill have critics convinced Congress has turned into an old people’s home.

The latest incident occurred on Monday. Connecticut Rep. John Larson, a 76-year-old Democrat, was complaining about the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in a floor speech when he suddenly froze.

“Now [President Donald Trump] is saying he’s not even accountable to the courts because he and the billionaire class have gotten together and said, ‘Don’t worry, no one on the Republican side in the House and Senate who control both the House and Senate is going to speak up and challenge us,'” he said before suddenly going quiet for over 20 seconds.

Watch:

In a statement to The Connecticut Mirror, Larson’s office later attributed the freezing to “an adverse reaction to a new medication.”

“Congressman Larson appreciates the well wishes from everyone who has reached out,” the statement reads. “This afternoon, he had what was likely an adverse reaction to a new medication and is having tests administered by the House Attending Physician out of an abundance of caution.”

“He later participated in multiple meetings in his office and was alert and engaged. The Congressman remains in touch with his staff and in good spirits,” the statement continues.

What happened to Larson is reminiscent of what happened to Sen. Mitch McConnell in 2023 when he froze twice while speaking to reporters.

Speaking of McConnell, he too experienced a recent medical issue. Last Wednesday, he fell on the steps of the Capitol and required assistance from his fellow senators to get back up.

“I was right behind him and I helped him get back up, and he walked on his own power to lunch,” Montana Sen. Steve Daines, a fellow Republican, later confirmed to ABC News.

After the GOP lunch, McConnell was reportedly escorted by a group of staffers, one of whom he clutched on for support.

“Senator McConnell is fine,” a McConnell spokesperson said. “The lingering effects of polio in his left leg will not disrupt his regular schedule of work.”

Flash forward to Monday, when McConnell was spotted in a wheelchair wearing a brace on his left leg.

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All this comes after three similar medical incidents occurred in late December.

McConnell fell during the Senate’s weekly lunch, cutting his face and spraining his wrist; Rep. Nancy Pelosi fell while in Germany and needed a hip replacement; and Senate Chaplain Barry Black suffered a subdural hematoma and bleeding on the brain, according to Fox News.

All these back-to-back incidents have an increasing number of critics convinced that Congress has turned into an old people’s home and that Congress desperately needs to institute age limits.

Look:

Vivek Saxena
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