Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), the oldest serving member of the United States Senate, was hospitalized due to an infection.
Grassley, 90, is reportedly in “good spirits” and will return to work “as soon as possible.”
“Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is receiving antibiotic infusions at an area hospital to treat an infection,” his office announced in a press release.
JUST IN: Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley @ChuckGrassley is in the hospital. pic.twitter.com/bDUw6Hpx7q
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) January 16, 2024
Some wonder why Grassley should still be in the U.S. Senate at 90-years-old.
90 year old Chuck Grassley was admitted to the hospital for an infection.
Why is a 90 year old man still in the Senate? pic.twitter.com/1nMxOhEZc9
— 🇺🇸Travis🇺🇸 (@Travis_in_Flint) January 17, 2024
Fox News reports:
Grassley, 90, was first elected to the Senate in 1980 and has been reelected seven times.
He is the Senate’s oldest member following the death of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., in September.
Feinstein faced criticism over her deteriorating health in her final years and her ability to serve.
Many aging congressional leaders, as well as President Biden, have also faced questions over their fitness to serve in recent years.
More reactions below:
Christie and I have great respect for Iowa Senator @ChuckGrassley and his loving wife, Barbara. Senator Grassley will be in our prayers as he receives medical treatment this week. We wish him a speedy recovery.
— Markwayne Mullin (@SenMullin) January 17, 2024
Praying for a speedy recovery for my good friend, @ChuckGrassley.
— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) January 17, 2024
Laina and I are keeping Senator @ChuckGrassley and Barbara in our prayers. No one fights harder than Chuck- I am confident he'll be back on his feet in no time.
— Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) January 16, 2024
.@ChuckGrassley is tough as nails and I'm glad to hear he is in good spirits and receiving care.
Get well soon, Chuck. We'll have the @DairyQueen ready when you get back to the Senate!
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) January 16, 2024
Please join Wesley and me in praying for a speedy recovery for Senator @ChuckGrassley. I look forward to seeing him back on the Senate floor very soon.
— Senator Katie Boyd Britt (@SenKatieBritt) January 16, 2024
Per CNN:
Grassley’s absence comes just days before a deadline for a partial government shutdown. Congressional leaders have agreed to a deal to keep the federal government funded into March, but both parties will need to supply votes to pass the legislation through both chambers before the Friday deadline.
The Senate is slated to take a procedural step to move the government funding resolution along later Tuesday night.