Senator Ray Lujan from New Mexico suffered a stroke recently. Thankfully, despite the seriousness of his medical situation, he is expected to make a recovery. However, he will likely miss all U.S. Senate work for at least a month. Lujan’s absence creates a significant issue for Senate Democrats in an upper chamber with a 50/50 split.
Lujan suffered the stroke last Thursday, on the same day Joe Biden announced the retirement of Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer. The news of Senator Lujan’s major medical condition has been essentially quiet.
With Joe Biden expecting to nominate a Supreme Court justice very soon, the senator’s absence could be problematic.
However, not to worry, creepy Joe’s recent praise of Mitch McConnell and Lindsey Graham will likely assist.
WASHINGTON DC – […] While the 49-year-old New Mexico Democrat is expected to make a full recovery, no one knew when he would return to the evenly divided Senate, or what it means for the immediate agenda.
Luján’s unexpected medical condition comes at a moment when Senate Democrats simply don’t have any votes to spare to pass party priorities, including reviving their social spending bill and now confirming a Supreme Court justice. The latest news could leave Democrats reliant on Republican votes to move forward on nominees and other priorities.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Tuesday evening that Democrats are “grateful” that Luján will make a “full recovery” and that he looks forward to his return to the Senate. He predicted that “the Senate will be able to carry forward with its business.”
Carlos Sanchez, Luján’s chief of staff, said that the senator checked himself into a hospital Thursday afternoon in Santa Fe after experiencing dizziness and fatigue. The senator later learned he had suffered a stroke and had to undergo decompressive surgery. (read more)
To the rescue….
