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“Now [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,’” Larson declared before suddenly freezing in place.
For several seconds, an awkward silence filled the chamber. Larson then weakly managed to say, “and challenge us,” in a noticeably strained voice before lapsing into another prolonged pause.
By the time he regained his composure, his allotted time had expired, and he had no choice but to relinquish the floor.
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Shortly after the incident, Larson’s office released a statement downplaying concerns about his health, attributing the episode to a negative reaction to new medication. His team assured the public that he was in good spirits and had sought medical evaluation as a precaution.
“Congressman Larson appreciates the well wishes from everyone who has reached out. 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,” the statement read, as reported by the CT Mirror.
“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 incident has drawn comparisons to similar public health episodes among aging lawmakers. In July 2023, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) abruptly froze for roughly 20 seconds while speaking at a Capitol Hill press conference. Just a month later, in August 2023, McConnell suffered another episode, this time during an event in Covington, Kentucky.
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During the Covington incident, McConnell stopped speaking mid-sentence and stood motionless with his eyes wide open. An aide approached and asked if he had heard the question, but he remained silent. Though McConnell eventually appeared to regain his composure, it was clear he was not well enough to continue.
With an increasing number of high-profile lawmakers experiencing health issues in public settings, concerns are growing about the fitness of some of the country’s most senior elected officials. As the nation watches these moments unfold, many are left questioning whether term limits or cognitive assessments should be considered for those in positions of power.
