By Sterling Mosley. Media: DC Enquirer.
Note: This article may contain commentary reflecting the author’s opinion.
After Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) was hospitalized on Wednesday evening, the New York Times published a shocking expose about the senator’s struggles after suffering from a stroke last year while on the campaign trail against his opponent, Dr. Mehmet Oz.
The New York Times piece highlights Fetterman’s challenging transition to the hall of Congress with the outlet writing, “But his adjustment to serving in the Senate has been made vastly more difficult by the strains of his recovery, which left him with a physical impairment and serious mental health challenges that have rendered the transition extraordinarily challenging.”
“Aides and confidantes describe his introduction to the Senate as a difficult period, filled with unfamiliar duties that are taxing for someone still in recovery,” the Times wrote, listing, “meetings with constituents, attending caucus and committee meetings, appearing in public at White House events and at the State of the Union address, as well as making appearances in Pennsylvania.”
Most paralyzing for the Pennsylvania senator is a neurological condition that impairs his hearing with the Times reporting that Fetterman has said that at times it is like hearing the muffled voices of the parents from “Peanuts” when fellow lawmakers or constituents speak with him.
While Fetterman continues to transition into the Senate, his most recent health scare is worrying for his staffers and presents yet another challenge for the freshman senator to overcome.
“Towards the end of the Senate Democratic retreat today, Senator John Fetterman began feeling lightheaded,” a statement from Fetterman’s office explained regarding the senator’s health after being rushed to the hospital Wednesday night. “He left and called his staff, who picked him up and drove him to The George Washington University Hospital.”
“Initial tests did not show evidence of a new stroke, but doctors are running more tests and John is remaining overnight for observation,” it continued. ”
“He is in good spirits and talking with his staff and family. We will provide more information when we have it,” the statement concluded.
Fetterman has since stayed in the hospital to be monitored for potential seizures, doctors have, however, ruled out another stroke.
“About an hour ago Sen. Fetterman received the results of his MRI,” wrote Fetterman’s Director of Communications Joe Calvello. “According to John’s doctors at The George Washington University Hospital, the results of the MRI, along with the results of all of the other tests the doctors ran, rule out a new stroke.”
NEWS: About an hour ago Sen. Fetterman received the results of his MRI. According to John's doctors at The George Washington University Hospital, the results of the MRI, along with the results of all of the other tests the doctors ran, rule out a new stroke.
— Joe Calvello (@the_vello) February 9, 2023
“John Fetterman couldn’t even make it a month as a senator without being hospitalized,” wrote radio host Clay Travis. “I hope he eventually gets well, but it was insanely reckless to allow him to run for office. He’s not healthy enough for the job. Not even close.”
John Fetterman couldn’t even make it a month as a senator without being hospitalized. I hope he eventually gets well, but it was insanely reckless to allow him to run for office. He’s not healthy enough for the job. Not even close.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) February 9, 2023
While Senator Fetterman will hopefully recover swiftly and return back to his duties for the people of Pennsylvania, it is worrying that his condition has impaired his ability to do his job. While he still remains in the hospital, his constituents remain without a senator and perhaps some Pennsylvanians are reassessing if they chose the right man for the job.
