Sen. Ben Luján Hospitalized Following Stroke, Threatening To Delay Democrats’ Agenda

Topline

Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) was hospitalized after suffering a stroke Tuesday and underwent surgery to ease swelling from his brain, though he is expected to make a full recovery according to a statement from his chief of staff – a development that leaves the Democrats at least temporarily short of a working majority in the Senate.

Key Facts

The New Mexico lawmaker is “currently being cared for at UNM Hospital, resting comfortably, and expected to make a full recovery,” Carlos Sanchez, Luján’s chief of staff, said in a statement Tuesday.

Sanchez said Luján checked himself into a Santa Fe hospital after experiencing dizziness and fatigue, and he was found to have suffered a stroke in his brain’s cerebellum.

As long as the senator is absent, Democrats will only be able to muster 49 votes in the Senate, with a confirmation fight looming for President Joe Biden’s Supreme Court nominee.

Key Background

Justice Stephen Breyer announced his retirement from the Supreme Court last week, and the White House confirmed Wednesday that Biden will name a Black woman to replace him. Prior to Luján’s absence, Republicans would have struggled to block Biden’s nominee because Democrats only need a simple majority of 51 votes to confirm a new justice, with Vice President Kamala Harris providing a tie-breaking vote. Republicans eliminated a previous 60-vote threshold for Supreme Court nominations in 2017 in order to confirm Justice Neil Gorsuch.

What To Watch For

It is unclear how long Luján will take to recover. If he is unable to return to work, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) would appoint his replacement.

Surprising Fact

On average since 1975, 41 days have passed between a president’s Supreme Court nomination and the start of initial Senate hearings, according to the Congressional Research Service. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said last week Democrats plan to confirm Biden’s nominee “with all deliberate speed.” The party aims to keep form with Republicans’ confirmation of Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who was speedily confirmed in a matter of weeks prior to the 2020 elections.