WATCH: High-Ranking Democrat Suffers ‘Medical Episode’ On House Floor

A top Democrat in the U.S. House suffered a medical episode on the chamber’s floor Monday, the latest in a string of concerning incidents affecting elderly lawmakers.

Rep. John Larson (D-CT), 76, was in the middle of a five-minute speech railing against Elon Musk’s access to private files at the U.S. Treasury when he abruptly froze and tongued the inside of his cheek. He tried to continue on.

“But we need to pro… tect Americans’ privacy, and their Social… Security,” said Larson, obviously struggling to nail down his thoughts.

A C-SPAN camera covering the speech cut away to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), who looked on curiously from the front of the chamber.

“For forty percent… of all Americans, Social Security is the basis for their retirement and their retirement savings. And, uh, for twenty-eight million Americans Social Security is the only thing that they have, and that’s why we have to make sure we are protecting it as well.” Larson shuffled through some papers as if to go on, but Johnson cut him off there.

In a statement, Rep. Larson’s office blamed his behavior on a new medication.

“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. 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,” a spokesman for his office told media outlets.

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The Connecticut lawmaker has been in Congress since 1999 and is the 27th most senior member of the House. His episode raises questions about whether elderly members of both parties should remain in office despite their health challenges.

Shortly after the November elections, it was uncovered that former Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX) had been living in an assisted living facility and hadn’t cast a vote since July. Most notably, former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) froze mid-speech multiple times over the past two years and took a nasty spill while descending the stairs of the Waldorf Hotel in Washington, D.C.

In September of 2023, former Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) died in office at 90, after years of deep concerns about her health. Before she passed, viral videos showed colleagues telling her how to vote and which buttons to press on the floor of the Senate.

There is no constitutional age restriction for members of Congress, but that hasn’t stopped a limited few from trying. In 2023, U.S. Rep John James (R-MI) introduced a bill to amend the U.S. Constitution and force any member of the House or Senate to retire by age 75.

Multiple senior moments by President Joe Biden shined a spotlight on the epidemic. During the presidential campaign, polls showed that a majority of Americans favored placing age limits on presidential candidates.

At 78, President Donald Trump is no spring chicken, but a recent survey showed a majority of voters describing him as an “energetic” second termer.