Sen. Ben Ray Lujan suffered a stroke last week and is expected to make a full recovery, his office disclosed Tuesday.
Carlos Sanchez, chief of staff for the New Mexico Democrat, said in a statement that the senator began experiencing dizziness and fatigue last Thursday and checked himself into Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center in Santa Fe before he was transferred to UNM Hospital in Albuquerque for further evaluation.
“Senator Lujan was found to have suffered a stroke in the cerebellum, affecting his balance,” Sanchez said. “As part of his treatment plan, he subsequently underwent decompressive surgery to ease swelling.”
REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR MICHIGAN GOVERNOR SPARKS ABORTION CONTROVERSY
Sanchez said Lujan is resting comfortably and looks forward to returning to work. He asked for prayers for the senator and his family and respect for their privacy.
— Senator Ben Ray Luján (@SenatorLujan) February 1, 2022
Lujan’s hospitalization comes at a time when Senate Democrats control the Senate with a 50-50 tie that is broken by Vice President Kamala Harris in her capacity as president of the Senate.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Lujan’s absence from the upper chamber is a stark reminder of that slim majority. His absence could also affect the confirmation process for President Joe Biden’s as-yet-unnamed nominee to replace Justice Stephen Breyer on the Supreme Court if the senator has not yet returned by the time that process begins.
Without Lujan, Senate Democrats would need to secure at least one Republican vote to confirm the nominee.
