Senate President Pro Tempore Patrick Leahy was briefly hospitalized Tuesday, simply hours after being sworn in to preside over the impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump.
The 80-year-old Democrat from Vermont “was not feeling well” in his workplace on the Capitol on Tuesday night and was examined by the attending doctor, Leahy spokesperson David Carle stated in an announcement on the time.
“The Capitol Physician suggested that Senator Leahy go to George Washington University Hospital this evening for observation, out of an abundance of caution,” Carle stated after Leahy was launched. “After getting test results back, and after a thorough examination, Senator Leahy is now home. He looks forward to getting back to work.”
The assertion didn’t embody whether or not Leahy’s situation had improved, nor did it announce any analysis.
Earlier on Tuesday, Leahy was formally assigned to preside over the Senate’s trial against Trump after the House voted to question the then-president on one cost of inciting an rebellion. The trial proceedings are anticipated to start on Feb. 8.
Leahy would nonetheless be capable of vote within the trial, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) instructed MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow.
“I’m not presenting the evidence. I’m making sure procedures are followed,” Leahy stated Monday on his function within the trial. “I don’t think there’s any senator who over the 40-plus years I’ve been here would say I’ve been anything but impartial in ruling on procedure.”
As president professional tempore of the Senate, Leahy is constitutionally the second-highest-ranking Senate official after Vice President Kamala Harris, and third within the line of succession. A scenario wherein Leahy vacates his seat wouldn’t solely influence the impeachment trial ― it could additionally jeopardize Democrats’ razor-thin majority within the higher chamber, the place even one much less vote may alter the destiny of great laws.
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) instructed CNN’s Wolf Blitzer on Tuesday that Leahy is anticipated to be again within the Senate on Wednesday. Leahy’s spouse, Marcelle, who’s a nurse, stated on the time of the hospitalization that the senator was “doing fine” and resting comfortably, in line with Durbin.
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