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WASHINGTON – Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont, the lawmaker hired to preside over President Trump’s impeachment trial, has been hospitalized, his spokesperson said.
The 80-year-old pro tempore Senate speaker was taken to a local hospital and is under observation after complaining about not feeling well after overseeing the swearing-in of senators as jurors at the trial more early Tuesday.
“Tonight, Senator Leahy was in his office on the Capitol and not feeling well,” Leahy spokesman David Carle said in a statement.
“He was examined at the Capitol by the attending physician. As a precaution, the attending physician recommended that he be taken to a local hospital for observation, where he is currently and where he is being assessed, ”he said.
Leahy seemed choked and breathless at times during the procedure.
A mainstay of the upper house, Leahy served as a senator for 46 years and was sworn in as interim speaker of the Senate for the third time last week.
The constitutional role makes Leahy responsible for the presidency of the new Democratic-controlled Senate, including the upcoming impeachment trial.
In a statement, the Vermont lawmaker explained that he would oversee the trial in place of Supreme Court Justice John Roberts because Trump is no longer president.
It is not known how long Leahy will be hospitalized, what her condition is and whether her medical condition will delay the trial which is due to start on February 8.
After Tuesday’s swearing-in, more than 45 GOP lawmakers voted to dismiss Trump’s impeachment trial as unconstitutional, while ensuring that the impeachment article accusing the former president of instigating the Capitol seat American on January 6, will be dead on arrival.
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