New Mexico transparency group demands more info on Sen. Luján’s health after stroke

Axios via Yahoo News ^ | February 10, 2022 | Russell Contreras

[Political Junkie Too]

New Mexico's main transparency group is urging U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and his staff to release more information about his health following a stroke two weeks ago.

Why it matters: Luján is notoriously private, but a lack of health updates is making some New Mexico Democrats nervous about the future of his seat in a 50-50 Senate.

Driving the news: The New Mexico Foundation for Open Government said in a statement Tuesday that state residents have been "left confused and concerned" about the lack of information from the senator’s office.

• "While all of us respect the family’s wishes for privacy during this stressful time, a balance must be struck between that privacy and the public’s right to know."
• "Sen. Luján’s absence from the Senate is an issue of great public importance, particularly with a U.S. Supreme Court appointment on the horizon."
• The group said Luján’s staff and his treating physician should give daily briefings about his progress.

The intrigue: Last week, Luján's chief of staff Carlos Sanchez released a statement saying the senator checked himself into a Santa Fe, New Mexico, hospital the week before. Doctors determined he had a stroke in the back of his brain.

• He underwent brain surgery to ease the swelling.
• "At this time, he and his family would appreciate their privacy, and ask for your continued prayers and well wishes,” Sanchez said.
• His office has given few updates since. His spokeswoman, Katherine Schneider, did not return an email or phone call from Axios on Wednesday.

[Political Junkie Too]

Where is Sen. Luján? Why are Democrats keeping his condition a secret?

-PJ

[Army Air Corps]

New Mexico Ping.

[kiryandil]

It's all good if he's still alive.

Let us all pray for his recovery - a SLOW recovery.

[Redleg Duke]

The vultures are circling.

[allendale]

Undergoing surgery to “relieve pressure” is not a good sign. It was previously reported that he had a cerebellar stroke which usually has a good prognosis. Now it sounds like he had a hemorrhagic stroke at the base of the brain and was herniating thus requiring surgery. It does not appear that Senator Lujan will be returning anytime soon. Biden will need at least one Republican vote to get any Senate confirmation or favorable vote on his agenda. The Democrats will want New Mexico’s Democratic governor to promptly appoint a replacement. However that may be tricky as long as Lugan remains alive or does not give consent by resigning.

[Political Junkie Too]

It looks like Luján has no family. That means there is no one with power of attorney if he's in a vegetative state.

Without a PoA, I guess that means there is nobody who can issue a resignation on his behalf? Even with a PoA, would that be possible?

That means that as long as Luján is alive, he ties up a voteless seat in the Senate for the Democrats for the next five years.

-PJ

[cgbg]

The Deep State’s medical assassination team is on standby awaiting orders....

[I-ambush]

I wonder if there is a mechanism to remove a senator from office if he is alive but indefinitely incapacitated, and either can’t or won’t agree to resign?

[Jeff Chandler]

Biden will need at least one Republican vote

[Jeff Chandler]

alive but indefinitely incapacitated

[allendale]

The Republicans would never do it. But if they called for a reorganization vote then they conceivably by a 50-49 vote would take over the Senate naming a majority leader and committee chairmen. If the situation were reversed, the Democrats would act in a microsecond.

[DIRTYSECRET]

Interesting times we live in. Will he be able to give ‘informed” consent? Would any informed democrat willfully give up his senate seat? Incapacitated means no informed consent so will the law say it’s doable? The voters are entitled to representation.

[1Old Pro]

•He underwent brain surgery to ease the swelling

Not good. Hopefully he makes a full recovery and should take his time and remain at home until 2023.

[Political Junkie Too]

I wonder if there is a mechanism to remove a senator from office if he is alive but indefinitely incapacitated, and either can’t or won’t agree to resign?

There is.

Via Article I Section 5 Clause 2, two-thirds of the Senate would have to vote to expel him.

Normally, this is reserved for expelling a member for "disorderly behavior," but there is no requirement that it be limited to that purpose.

-PJ

[Jane Long]

Interesting....and, agree that Dims would do this in a microsecond.

[Seruzawa]

No to worry. Some liberal Federal Judge will just invent new law to circumvent all those problems. They’ll have someone in his place when the vote is needed.

[Political Junkie Too]

Separation of powers would prevent this.

-PJ

[cgbg]

“If the situation were reversed, the Democrats would act in a microsecond.”

That is why I call the Republicans NPCs—Non Player Characters

They are not real actors in the fight for power in DC—they just mail it in...

[Political Junkie Too]

Would the Democrats invoke Article I Section 5 Clause 2 and force a vote to expel Luján from the Senate?

Would Republicans join the vote to reach the two-thirds required to expel a member in order to help their "friends across the aisle?"

-PJ

[Sirius Lee]

Without a PoA, I guess that means there is nobody who can issue a resignation on his behalf? Even with a PoA, would that be possible?

The deep state will Scalia him. They won't even blink as they do it. The ends justify the means for them in our banana republic.