U.S. Rep. John Larson, D-1st District, appeared to briefly lose his ability to speak during a press conference on Friday morning in Hartford, just over a month after Larson suffered a “complex partial seizure” while delivering a floor speech in Congress.
The Hartford press conference focused on how looming federal cuts to Medicaid would impact care for children around the state. For most of the roughly 35-minute event, Larson did not show any signs of impairment.
“Can you imagine that the wealthiest nation in the world would possibly be doing something that would impact the children of this nation and do so in a way that will hurt them so that they can deliver a tax cut to the wealthiest people in the country?” Larson said during his introductory remarks.
After speaker introductions, a panel of state officials and medical providers fielded questions from the media, and Larson stepped up to answer the first one, speaking in his typical fiery rhetoric. Larson began to respond to a second question, speaking about how billionaires, starting with Elon Musk, are dictating policy. But then, he drifted off.
“The majority party in the Senate and in the House, thus far has gone along with [Musk]. Except on Tuesday, all of a sudden, they found out because there was a member of Congress who was brave enough to stand up and fight on behalf of all woman, but also her own and because and uh,” Larson said. He then made a hand gesture that appeared to mimic someone speaking before backing away slowly from the podium.
Less than 10 seconds passed before Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, who organized the press conference, approached the podium and seemed poised to step in before someone in the audience asked another question, putting the discussion back on track.
Larson, who is 76, appeared to recover from the temporary lapse, posing for photos with the other speakers at the end of the press conference and saying goodbye to attendees as he exited the room.
Asked whether the episode was related to the complex partial seizure he suffered in February or whether the congressman had sought medical attention afterwards, Larson issued a statement Friday afternoon:
“As I shared in February, I recently received a diagnosis, and have been prescribed medication to treat it. I appreciate you reaching out with your concerns,” the statement reads. “I spoke to my doctors out of precaution and have been assured by my medical providers that I am on the appropriate therapy and while I understand your concern, I assure you that I am fine and am continuing to follow medical advice.”
In the same statement, Larson clarified that he was referencing the story of a Republican representative from Florida who stood up “to her party this week and [said] mothers should be able to vote in Congress when they are at home with their newborns.”
Larson’s speech impairments are part of a broader conversation around fitness to serve that’s receiving increased attention following former President Joe Biden’s disastrous debate performance that led to his withdrawal from the presidential election. The Biden administration received intense criticism of an intentional effort to hide his health decline.
Sen. Mitch McConnell has received similar attention for health issues, as did Sen. Diane Feinstein before her death in 2023.
Larson’s temporary lapse on Friday was far less pronounced than an episode he suffered in February, when he froze and abruptly stopped speaking during a floor speech. His office initially attributed the pause to an adverse reaction to new medication.
After undergoing tests, Larson was diagnosed with a complex partial seizure. The congressman said he had a heart valve replacement years ago because of a condition he was born with, which can later cause symptoms like what he experienced.
A complex partial seizure, also known as a focal impaired awareness seizure, is described as a type of epilepsy in adults that causes a change in consciousness and often lasts between 30 seconds and a few minutes. Symptoms include losing awareness and staring blankly, according to the Epilepsy Foundation.
Larson has represented the First Congressional District since 1998. He easily won reelection to a 14th term in November.