In December of that year, South Dakota Democrat Senator Tim Johnson suffered a brain hemorrhage, endangering the slim, newly won Democratic majority. Although he was gone for months, Mr. Johnson eventually returned the following fall and won reelection in 2008 despite ongoing health problems.
In another recent case, Illinois Republican Senator Mark Kirk suffered a stroke in January 2012 and was gone for nearly a whole year. There’s no requirement for senators to step aside for health reasons if they don’t want to, and there have been many previous cases of sick senators being away from Washington for long periods, forcing their colleagues to adjust accordingly.
Now that Democrats are able to approve a candidate on their own with their 50-vote majority, Republicans have so far indicated that they don’t intend to go too hard on the choice, showing that confirmations of the Supreme Court can be performed without becoming a partisan spectacle. But any uncertainty about Democratic ability to produce at least 50 votes could quickly change that calculation and give Republicans more leverage over the candidate and the procedure itself.
Based on what has happened in the past, Republicans will proceed with caution as they don’t want to be seen as trying to take advantage of a colleague’s illness and recognize that, like many things in the Senate, the roles can quickly change. turn around.
On Wednesday, Kentucky Republican and minority leader Senator Mitch McConnell said the entire Senate is “praying and pulling” for Mr. Luján and that it was “encouraging to read that our friend and colleague is expected to make a full recovery.” ”
While Mr Luján’s medical issue was more serious, the Senate has already faced frequent absences this year as members faced positive coronavirus tests and family issues, forcing leaders of both parties to monitor attendance closely to send their plans. Mr Luján’s condition and the handling of a debate at the Supreme Court have now put such issues in the spotlight.
“That’s exactly what we live with every day in a 50-50 Senate,” said Michigan Democrat Sen. Debbie Stabenow. “We are all human and anything can happen to anyone at any time.”
Emily Cochrane and Annie Karnic reporting contributed.
