Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) has been absent from the Senate for over a month due to a recurrence of clinical depression and a hospital stay to manage the illness. After winning the Democratic primary in April of 2022, Fetterman suffered a life-threatening stroke and has been dealing with the fallout ever since.
Recently, it was reported that his month-long hospital stay was extended by two weeks, with doctors saying they were still working on the right balance of medications for Fetterman. This comes after the Senate made accommodations to allow the senator to perform his duties from home. However, these accommodations are all for naught if Fetterman cannot comprehend what’s being said.
Prior to his hospital stay, Fetterman was rushed to the hospital during his party’s winter retreat, followed by stories about how he’s unable to comprehend what others are saying to him; everyone sounds like the adults from the Peanuts cartoons. The grind of a statewide campaign has led to many in his inner circle admitting that the senator could have permanent brain damage.
At the two-week mark, Fetterman is not getting out of the hospital this week. His return to work is anticipated for mid-April, with April 17th being the exact date.
From Politico:
Sen. John Fetterman plans to return to the Senate the week of April 17 after more than a month of inpatient treatment for depression, according to two people with direct knowledge of his plan.
The Pennsylvania Democrat began receiving treatment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in mid-February. His return will be welcome news for Senate Democrats, who have a slim majority and have struggled to deal with absences over the last month.
NBC News added, “Fetterman’s chief of staff, Adam Jentleson, and Communications Director Joe Calvello have been visiting him at Walter Reed daily this week, Calvello told NBC, saying ‘he’s in the zone’ and ‘excited to get back to the Senate.'”
Curious to see who gets back to the Senate first, McConnell or Fetterman.