NJ Congressman Returns Home After Life-Threatening Infection: See What's Next

CAMDEN, NJ — U.S. Representative Donald Norcross returned home from rehabilitation Thursday as the congressman continues to recover from a life-threatening gallbladder infection.

Norcross (D-NJ) fell ill on a flight in early April. He spent several weeks in the hospital for an infection that progressed to sepsis.

The Democratic lawmaker, who represents New Jersey's 1st congressional district, was released from the hospital last week. Now that he's completed a brief stay at a rehabilitation facility, the congressman expects to continue outpatient care in the coming weeks.

Ultimately, Norcross's medical team will remove his gallbladder, his office said Thursday.

"It is good to be home," Norcross, 66, said in a statement. "I owe a debt of immense gratitude to the incredible health professionals at Cooper Hospital who saved my life and have been instrumental in helping me recover so quickly."

Norcross expects to fully recover, and he continues to meet with his staff while monitoring issues in South Jersey and in Washington, D.C., his office says.

His offices in South Jersey and the nation's capital remain open to serve constituents. New Jersey's 1st congressional district includes all of Camden County and portions of Gloucester and Burlington counties.

"Be assured that I will continue to fight for our seniors, veterans and hard working families each and every day," Norcross said.

But it's expected to take several weeks before Norcross can return to Washington. The Democratic lawmaker's absence expands Republicans' narrow majority in the House of Representatives, since members of Congress must be physically present in the U.S. Capitol to vote on their constituents' behalf.

Norcross has represented New Jersey's 1st district since 2014 and was re-elected to a two-year term in November. Several months ago, he filed to run for re-election in 2026.