Now more than ever, the health of our elderly politicians, ALL of them, is becoming a major concern. It’s an issue that has been batted around time and again, especially in the last eight years or so. Yet now, it is becoming glaringly apparent in my opinion, that we have an age problem among our politicians.

And yes, that includes ALL of our politicians who are aged 70 and above. In recent weeks and months we’ve had two politicians miss a month or more of work due to health issues. We highlighted Senator Dianne Feinstein’s battle with shingles here and here. Just the other day, she had to be guided by staff and other Senators regarding casting her vote during a Senate Defense Committee meeting. 

Asked to vote on the defense appropriations bill, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) begins giving a speech: “I would like to support a ‘yes’ vote on this. It provides …”

Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA): “Just say aye.” pic.twitter.com/Gw2eZ9rEMv

— The Recount (@therecount) July 27, 2023

That’s more than concerning That’s very alarming. She had to be TOLD what to do and redirected several times within a couple of minutes in order to simply cast her vote. That’s highly concerning regarding the complex issues our politicians deal with on a daily basis. 

As we noted a few days ago, Senator McConnell had a very problematic “freeze” while giving a press conference. Many people thought stroke. Others, like myself, thought he had a type of seizure, an absence seizure. No matter what it was, people are rightfully concerned. Although, CNN had to throw their own type of snark at McConnell’s health problems.  

Whenever a lawmaker who is advancing in years appears infirm or confused in public, or takes some time to convalesce, there are questions about their fitness for office.

This week, it’s Mitch McConnell, the top Republican in the Senate, who froze and appeared confused during a Capitol Hill news conference Wednesday. After recovering off camera, McConnell returned to take questions and later left smiling, telling reporters that he was doing just fine and had just been “sandbagged” when he was unable to speak.

We are ALSO concerned and have been for years now, about Joe Biden’s health and his cognitive abilities. Yet for the last few years, we weren’t allowed to question Biden’s health. However, now we can because the media is suddenly telling us there’s an issue. 

Who, specifically, are the oldest members in Congress right now?

• Dianne Feinstein, age 89, is a Democratic Senator from California.

• Chuck Grassley, age 89, is a Republican Senator from Iowa.

• Grace Napolitano, age 86, is a Democratic House member from California.

• Bill Pascrell Jr., age 85, is a Democratic House member from New Jersey.

• Eleanor Holmes Norton, age 85, is a Democratic House member from the District of Columbia.

The average age of a member of Congress is 58. Thus, there are quite a few seniors in the mix. In fact there are 90 members of Congress in their 70’s. NINETY. 

Senator McConnell, who is supposedly facing a shadow campaign from Republicans to get him to step down, is insistent that he will stay until the end of his term. 

Mitch McConnell moved on Thursday to quash speculation about whether he will finish out this Congress as GOP leader that spiked after a brief, very public freeze caused a national stir.

A spokesperson for the Senate minority leader said in a statement to POLITICO that “Leader McConnell appreciates the continued support of his colleagues, and plans to serve his full term in the job they overwhelmingly elected him to do.”

Well, President Trump was asked about McConnell’s health. 

Former President Donald Trump said Senate Republicans need a new leader following a recent health scare for Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).

Trump, 77, said in an interview, “We have to have that,” when asked if Republican senators need a new leader after McConnell, 81, froze up during a press conference last week before being escorted away. The Kentucky Republican returned a few minutes later and briefed the press.

Exclusive – Donald Trump: Mitch McConnell Health Problems ‘Sad,’ He Should Step Down pic.twitter.com/Ibw1JZuPJd

— Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) July 30, 2023

Look, Trump isn’t a spring chicken either. He’s SEVENTY SEVEN years old. If he prevails next year at the polls, when he takes office, he would be 78. Leaving office four years later, he’d be 82. Again, that’s no spring chicken and HIS age and health should be of equal concern to that of Joe Biden’s, Dianne Feinstein, and Mitch McConnell as well as the rest of the 70+ year old members of Congress. 

We are being told it’s ageist to question the health and fitness of those who are in office. Yet we are, in the same breath, also being told that we should expect that elderly people will HAVE to work longer.

American life expectancy, despite advances in medical care, was 77.4 in 2020. It has declined in recent years, and not just because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Researchers point to poor average diet, lack of universal health care and access to guns as factors that keep the Americans from living longer when compared with other countries.

But the dwindling financial security of retirement programs like Social Security and Medicare means that future generations will likely have to work longer. Their lawmakers will be right there with them.

Oh, ok. So our politicians can continue to work whether they are physically or mentally capable of doing so because they might not get Social Security or Medicare?? That’s one helluva stretch!

The fact is, the older you get, the more health issues can become a problem. If a politician has problems functioning, then it’s not wrong to point out that that person, no matter WHO it is, should step down. 

Feature Photo Credit: American flag, stethoscope via iStock, cropped and modified