Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) speaks to reporters as he arrives to the Senate Chambers for a series of votes in the U.S. Capitol Building on October 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Congress has until October 18 to raise the debt ceiling or risk a default that would have widespread economic consequences. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Sen. Ben Ray Lujan said he experienced dizziness and fatigue and took himself to the hospital to get checked. Doctors discovered he had a stroke. The 49-year-old New Mexico lawmaker is now recovering in the University of New Mexico hospital in Albuquerque. He is expected to recover and return to the Capitol in March.
While knowing the senator will recover is a relief, his absence could affect the vote on the the next Supreme Court justice. Pres. Joe Biden says he's planning to make a swift decision on the nominee, after which there will be a vote to secure a new justice before mid-term elections. Uncertainty about exactly when Lujan will return raised concerns among the caucus that Democrats may not have the slim majority to pass this or other items on Biden's agenda. Without him, there is strain on the evenly split Senate that would usually depends on the vice president to cast a deciding vote if there is a tie.
At the National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, Pres. Biden asks for prayers for the senator as he continues to heal.
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