‘You’re considering all the possibilities. And thank you not to one of them that you have to worry about today. He is doing well, “Durbin said of Leahy on Wednesday. He acknowledged that the health, well-being and simple attendance of his members would be a daily headache: ‘You bet it is. It’s not just who’s doing well, but who’s also present. ”
The restless voice Leahy insisted he would “naturally” serve the rest of his term for a state controlled by a GOP governor who had previously promised a vacancy in the Senate with another member of to fill the Democratic caucus. Leahy did not rule out running again in 2022 for a ninth term and said: “the latest polls show I win easily.”
But even his brief hospital admission is a reminder of how meager everything is for Schumer and his 49 members. A prolonged absence, unexpected health problem amid a global pandemic or a sudden retirement can hinder his majority at any moment. And in a senate filled with members in their 70s and 80s, there is always a possibility that the health of one member could affect the balance of power.
“I’m glad he’s back. But it’s also a reminder as in an equally divided Senate how quickly things can change, “said Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas). He said vacancies could be filled, but a Democrat who for a number of days absent, the balance of power could shift back to Republicans.
“If someone was simply disabled but did not resign, it would have that potential,” Cornyn added.
Former sense. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, and Thad Cochran (R-Ga.), Whose health deteriorated, retired early before serving their full term in the past year. Before that, 89-year-old Senator Frank Lautenberg (DN.J.) and 88-year-old Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) died in office in 2013 and 2012, respectively. Isakson’s resignation eventually led to a Democratic march, while Lautenberg’s death briefly gave Republicans his seat until Senator Cory Booker (DN.J.) won a special election.
Leahy said he had experienced muscle spasms before, but when they did not go away, he went to seek medical help from Capitol doctor Brian Monahan. Monahan said out of caution that “there is so much going on, let’s not take a chance and I’m on my way home to the hospital,” Leahy recalls.
Leahy’s office immediately reported the incident to the media in a press release on Tuesday night. Despite his good humor, Leahy herself did not look very excited about his health, and after a few questions, an assistant directed him to his office in Capitol.
‘I had some muscle spasms. And normally I would have said ‘to hell, to do this’, but they did not stop,’ Leahy said. “I never feel comfortable about health matters.”
Leahy is one of the most integral parts of the Senate Democrats’ weakened new majority in an established Senate. He is expected to take over the chairmanship of the Senate Credit Committee soon, is third in line for the presidential succession and will also oversee a grueling indictment process.
Although he has now served eight terms in the Senate, Durbin said Leahy did not lose a step. On top of that, there are four senators older than Leahy: Democrat Dianne Feinstein of California and Republican Chuck Grassley of Iowa are both 87. Richard Shelby of Alabama and Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma are 86 years old. After Leahy, his colleague Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) In Vermont is next at 79.
Questions also arise about the ability of some older senators to perform their duties. Feinstein, the oldest member of the Senate, stepped down as chair of the legal committee in September after criticizing her handling of Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation to the Supreme Court.
The threat of the coronavirus is another issue that has hurt the Senate’s calendar, forcing GOP leader Mitch McConnell to cut a few days off the schedule last year after some of its members tested positive. . Eventually, however, after those diagnoses, he pushed forward to confirm Barrett just before the election.
Each state has its own vacancy laws – and in Vermont, any vacancy will be filled by a special election within six months. When Sanders considered a Biden cabinet seat, GOP government Phil Scott said he would likely appoint a short-term replacement for the consultation with Schumer.
“Sen. Sanders cherished the Democrats, “Scott said last year, adding that he would consider a more left-leaning type of independent who would obviously talk to the Democrats.”
Leahy forgot about it and said he felt good enough to take on another candidate, although he said he would only consider it next year. Leahy was known for showing pictures of Capitol residents and a dry sense of humor, and was surprised when asked if they wanted to pursue a ninth term: ‘I can start looking at this better.’
“You all know that. I never decide until November or December the previous year and I am not going now. “Usually when we start skiing and snowshoeing, we talk about it,” he said.