US Sen. Ben Ray Luján To Return To Senate In 4-6 Weeks: Reports

ALBUQUERQUE, NM — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico plans to return to the Senate in four to six weeks after suffering a stroke last week, media outlets reported Thursday.

As Patch previously reported, Luján, 49, suffered a stroke and was hospitalized at University of New Mexico Hospital. The senator felt dizzy and tired early Thursday, Luján's chief of staff Carlos Sanchez said in a statement. Luján checked himself into Christus St. Vincent Regional Hospital in Santa Fe and was later moved to UNM Hospital in Albuquerque for further evaluation.

"Senator Luján was found to have suffered a stroke in the cerebellum, affecting his balance," Sanchez said.

He is expected to make a full recovery.

The senator's absence presents a challenge for President Joe Biden, who planned to name a U.S. Supreme Court nominee by the end of the month. Democrats hold a slim 50-50 majority in the chamber, and a simple majority is needed to confirm nominees. Vice President Kamala Harris represents the tie-breaking vote.

CNN reported that even if Luján doesn't return before the confirmation, Democrats will likely still proceed with plans to quickly vet and confirm Biden's nominee.

Senate Judiciary Chairman Dick Durbin, Democrat from Illinois, told reporters Wednesday they don't anticipate any difficulties with the confirmation process.

"We just hope he gets back real soon," Durbin said.

But for Democrats, Luján's absence may affect more than just the Supreme Court nomination, including negotiations over Biden’s Build Back Better plan. After Democratic U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia declined to vote in favor of the legislation, Democrats may try to bring it back with a smaller proposal.