Feb 11, 2025 - Politics & Policy

House Democrat suffered "partial seizure" during floor speech

Andrew Solender

Rep. John Larson, wearing a gray suit and standing in front of a blue curtain. — Rep. John Larson at a press conference at the U.S. Capitol on Oct. 26, 2021. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images.

Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.) said Tuesday that a "complex partial seizure" was what caused him to seize up during a House floor speech the previous day.

Why it matters: The 76-year-old's office had initially said the incident — which quickly went viral on social media — was likely caused by an "adverse reaction to a new medication."

What he's saying: In a statement, Larson said that after experiencing a "medical incident" during his five-minute speech Monday morning, he saw the House Attending Physician Brian Monahan.

Monahan referred Larson for further evaluation, the congressman said, and "after a round of tests, it was determined that the cause of the brief pause in my speech was a complex partial seizure."
Larson said he had a heart valve replacement 15 years ago due to "a variation in the shape of my aortic valve that I was born with," and that people with that condition "can later develop symptoms such as the momentary change in speech or movement that was apparent yesterday."

What's next: After missing House votes on Monday night and Tuesday afternoon, Larson said he plans to "resume an active schedule" and be "present and voting" starting Wednesday.

"I am looking forward to getting back to work for the people of Connecticut's First District," he said.

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House Democrat suffered "partial seizure" during floor speech

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