Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland introduced late Sunday night time that he was recovering from “a minor stroke,” the second Democratic lawmaker to fall unwell from the ailment this yr.
The information highlighted the fragile stability of energy in a chamber the place Democrats maintain a 50-50 majority and the lack of even a single vote might have momentous affect, and impede President Biden’s agenda.
Mr. Van Hollen, 63, stated in a statement posted on Twitter that he had been admitted to George Washington College Hospital, which is within the District of Columbia, “after experiencing lightheadedness and acute neck ache.” An angiogram confirmed that he had had a “minor stroke within the type of a small venous tear” in the back of his head.
However he stated that there can be “no long-term results or harm.”
Mr. Van Hollen stated that he would in the reduction of on his schedule and stay beneath remark for the following few days out of an abundance of warning. He deliberate to return to the Senate later this week, the assertion stated.
In February, Senator Ben Ray Luján, 49, Democrat of New Mexico, additionally introduced that he had had a stroke, checking himself into the hospital after experiencing dizziness and fatigue.
Carlos Sanchez, his chief of workers, stated in a statement that Mr. Luján had “suffered a stroke within the cerebellum, affecting his stability.” “As a part of his remedy plan, he subsequently underwent decompressive surgical procedure to ease swelling,” the assertion stated.
A lawyer and progressive Democrat, Mr. Van Hollen beforehand served within the Maryland State Legislature earlier than being elected to Congress in 2002. He has been a member of the Democratic Home management, and from 2007 to 2011, he lead the Democratic Congressional Marketing campaign Committee, which tries to assist the occasion win and hold Home seats. After his election to the Senate in 2016, he served the same position in organizing efforts to win Senate races.
Mr. Van Hollen’s announcement a couple of stroke got here amid the hotly contested midterm elections. Democrats have begun a fierce battle to carry onto their majority within the Home and can’t afford to lose Senate seats.
Lt. Gov. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, who’s operating for the state’s Democratic Senate nomination, announced on Sunday that he had suffered a stroke final Friday. “The excellent news is I’m feeling significantly better, and the medical doctors inform me I didn’t endure any cognitive harm,” he stated on Twitter. “I’m effectively on my technique to a full restoration.”
Ought to Mr. Fetterman prevail within the main, his rivals on the Republican facet embrace Kathy Barnette, a hard-right conservative commentator; Dr. Mehmet Oz, a tv persona and retired doctor who has been backed by former President Donald J. Trump; and David McCormick, a former hedge fund supervisor.
Austin Ramzy contributed reporting.
