Rep. John Larson Freezes During House Speech, Raises Health Concerns

During a House floor speech on Social Security, Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.) experienced a medical episode where he froze and struggled to speak, causing concern among colleagues. The 76-year-old lawmaker paused for nearly a minute before resuming his speech, which his office later attributed to an adverse reaction to a new medication. Despite the incident, Larson was reported to have participated in multiple meetings afterward and was described as alert and in good spirits. This episode echoes similar health scares faced by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in 2023, who also experienced freezing during public addresses. Larson’s situation has raised awareness about the health challenges that some aging lawmakers face in Congress. His office appreciates the well wishes from the public and emphasized his ongoing engagement with staff.