A Democrat lawmaker in the House has been hospitalized in North Carolina after suffering an “emergency medical event,” his office announced on Monday.
The news about Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ), who has been part of the lower chamber for a little more than a decade, comes ahead of what may be a close vote on a resolution for the budget reconciliation process.
“Congressman Donald Norcross was traveling over the weekend and suffered an emergency medical event likely related to his gallbladder,” the lawmaker’s office said. “He was admitted to UNC Rex Hospital in North Carolina on Sunday and is in stable condition, where he is receiving exceptional medical treatment.”
The statement added: “He is currently in good spirits and wants to thank the doctors, nurses, and support staff at UNC Rex Hospital for all their work on his behalf during his stay. When the Congressman is medically cleared to fly, he will be transferred back home to Cooper University Health Care in the coming days to complete his recovery.”
It’s not clear when Norcross, 66, plans to return to Washington, D.C., nor is it certain he will participate in a vote on a Senate-passed budget plan laying the groundwork for President Donald Trump’s domestic priorities that is expected to happen on Wednesday.
Attendance for Democrats could be instrumental, as some Republicans have said they would oppose the resolution that was approved by the upper chamber last week.
“It is essential that House Democrats are present with maximum attendance for what is anticipated to be a close vote on Wednesday,” Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said in a letter to members of his caucus on Monday.
Currently, there are 220 Republicans and 213 Democrats in the House after Republicans Jimmy Patronis and Randy Fine were sworn in last week following their special election victories in Florida. GOP leaders can afford to lose only a few votes from their caucus if all Democrats oppose the measure.
Two Democrats in the House who died this year have yet to be replaced. Last month, Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) passed away at 77 following a battle with cancer shortly after Rep. Sylvester Turner (D-TX) died at the age of 70. A primary special election in Arizona is set for mid-July and a general special election has been slated for September 23. The special election to fill the seat left by Turner has been scheduled for November 4.
Other bills slated for votes this week — after Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) resolved a proxy voting dispute for new parents in Congress — include measures to limit nationwide injunctions and require proof of United States citizenship for federal election voters.
