Democrat lawmaker freezes on House floor after suffering adverse reaction to medication

Rep. John Larson, D-Ct., made headlines on Monday when he appeared to freeze mid-remarks on the House floor. In the middle of his impassioned speech against President Donald Trump and his team, including Elon Musk, Larson took a long pause and when he resumed speaking, his speed was noticeably slower and he was slurring his words.

Following the incident, Larson’s D.C. office released a statement expressing the congressman’s gratitude to those who reached out and providing a possible reason for his behavior. According to the statement, Larson likely had an adverse reaction to a new medication and was undergoing tests administered by the House Attending Physician as a precaution.

The 76-year-old lawmaker’s office did not disclose details about the medication or why Larson was taking it. Larson also reportedly skipped two House votes held on Monday night, according to Axios. This incident has once again raised concerns about the age of lawmakers and their ability to effectively serve in office.

Age has been a recurring issue in politics, with former President Ronald Reagan facing questions about his age during his re-election campaign in 1984. Reagan famously addressed the issue in a debate with Walter Mondale, joking about not exploiting his opponent’s youth and inexperience.

In the 2024 election, age became a topic of discussion again as questions were raised about then-President Joe Biden’s cognitive abilities. When Biden dropped out of the race, some Democrats tried to shift the focus onto Trump’s age, but this did not gain much traction.

Just days before Larson’s incident, Senator Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who is set to turn 83 later this month, left the Capitol in a wheelchair as a precaution after falling twice. McConnell’s spokesperson reassured the public that the senator was fine and that the incident was due to the lingering effects of polio in his left leg.

The average age of America’s lawmakers is evolving, with a report from the Pew Research Center showing a slight decrease in the median age in both the House and Senate. Baby Boomers and Gen Xers still make up the majority of the legislative body, but younger generations are slowly making their way into Congress.

Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., is currently the only Gen Z lawmaker in Congress, as members of his generation are not yet eligible to run for the Senate. Despite the changing demographics, age continues to be a topic of conversation in politics as the public scrutinizes lawmakers’ ability to effectively serve in office.

In conclusion, Rep. John Larson’s recent incident highlights the ongoing debate about age in politics and the importance of ensuring that lawmakers are fit to carry out their duties. As the demographics of Congress continue to shift, it will be interesting to see how age factors into future political discussions and decisions.