Source: Sen. Luján expected back at work in four to six weeks

A senior aide to US Sen. Ben Ray Luján tells SFR the senator has been advised by his medical team that he should be back at work in four to six weeks—news the aide described as a positive development.

Luján’s office yesterday via a news release reported that Luján, 49, had begun experiencing dizziness and fatigue last Thursday and checked himself into Christus St. Vincent Regional Hospital. He was then transferred to University of New Mexico Hospital where he was found to have suffered a stroke in the cerebellum, affecting his balance. As part of his treatment plan, he then had decompressive surgery to ease swelling and remains at UNM “resting comfortably,” according to a statement yesterday from Luján’s Chief of Staff Carlos Sanchez.

Luján’s absence subsequently has raised questions about President Joe Biden’s prospects for quickly appointing a successor to retiring Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer. The US Senate, which confirms new justices, has a 50-50 split between Democrats and Republicans; Vice President Kamala Harris holds the tie-breaking vote.

However, Luján’s aide notes that with a potential successor not yet named, the four-to-six week recovery time “should give [Luján] ample time” to return to the US Senate for that vote.