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“You consider all the possibilities. And thank goodness none of them worry you today. He’s just going great, ”Durbin told Leahy on Wednesday. He acknowledged that the health, well-being and sheer presence of its members is about to be a daily puzzle: “You bet it is. It’s not just who is doing well but who is present.
Gruff-voiced Leahy insisted that “of course” he will serve the remainder of his term for a state controlled by a GOP governor who has already pledged to fill a vacant Senate seat with another Democratic Caucus member. Leahy hasn’t ruled out running again in 2022 neither for a ninth term and said “the latest polls show me winning easily”.
But even his brief hospitalization is a reminder of how tenuous everything is for Schumer and his 49 members. Long-term absence, unexpected health problem in the midst of a global pandemic or a sudden retreat could hamper his majority at any time. And in a Senate filled with members between the ages of 70 and 80, there is always the possibility that a member’s health could affect the balance of power.
“I’m glad he’s back. But it’s also a reminder that in an equally divided Senate how quickly things can change, ”said Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas). He said vacancies could be filled, but a Democrat who was absent for a number of days could return the balance of power to Republicans.
“If someone was just disabled but didn’t quit, then that would have that potential,” Cornyn added.
The old meaning. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), Whose health had declined, retired prematurely before serving their terms in recent years. Prior to that, Senator Frank Lautenberg (DN.J.), 89, and Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), 88, died in 2013 and 2012 respectively. Isakson’s retirement ultimately drove a Democratic pickup , while Lautenberg’s death briefly gave Republicans his seat until Sen. Cory Booker (DN.J.) won a special election.
Leahy said he had previously had muscle spasms, but when they were not gone he saw Capitol Hill doctor Brian Monahan. Monahan said out of caution that “there is so much going on, let’s be safe and I went to the hospital on the way home,” Leahy recalls.
Leahy’s office quickly reported the incident to the media in a press release Tuesday night. Despite his good humor, Leahy himself didn’t seem particularly excited to talk about his health, and after a few questions an assistant directed him to his Capitol office.
“I had muscle spasms. And normally I would have said ‘hell, hell’, but they didn’t stop, ”Leahy said. “I’m never comfortable talking about health issues.”
Leahy is one of the most integral parts of the Senate Democrats’ new lean majority in a bound Senate. He is expected to soon assume the chairmanship of the Senate Appropriations Committee, is third for presidential succession, and is also expected to oversee what could be a grueling impeachment trial.
Although he has served in the Senate now for eight terms, Durbin said Leahy has not lost a step. Additionally, there are four Senators older than Leahy: Democrat Dianne Feinstein of California and Republicans Chuck Grassley of Iowa are 87. Richard Shelby of Alabama and Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma are 86 years old. After Leahy, her colleague from Vermont Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) Is next at 79.
Questions also arise about the ability of some aging senators to carry out their duties. Feinstein, the oldest member of the Senate, resigned as chair of the Judicial Committee in September after progressives criticized his handling of Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation to the Supreme Court.
The threat of the coronavirus is another issue that has blurred the Senate calendar, forcing GOP leader Mitch McConnell to cut a few calendar days last year after some of its members tested positive. Ultimately, however, he pushed forward after those diagnoses to confirm Barrett right before the election.
Each state has its own vacation laws – and in Vermont, any vacancy would be filled within six months by a special election. When Sanders was under consideration for a seat in the Biden cabinet, GOP Governor Phil Scott said he would likely appoint a short-term caucus replacement with Schumer.
“Sen. Sanders met with the Democrats, “Scott said last year, adding that he would consider” a more left-wing type of independent who would obviously do a caucus with the Democrats. “
Forgetting all that, Leahy said he felt good enough to consider another candidacy, although he said he wouldn’t consider it until next winter. Known for taking photos of Capitolites and displaying a dry sense of humor, Leahy feigned surprise when asked whether or not to pursue a ninth term: “Maybe I would do better.” to start checking.
“You all know it, I never make up my mind until November or December of the previous year and I won’t do it now. Usually when we start skiing and snowshoeing we talk about it, ”he says.
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