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.

[kvanbrunt2]

would cameltoe make it a tie at 50 or can she only break ties?

[missnry]

How many others were wondering over the past months... with all of these CLOT shots, why oh why has it not affected a US Senator or US Rep? Then one Senator... how many more are in the waiting to fall or stroke out?

[pepsionice]

If you went to a normal guy in this age group (49)....no doctor would be signing him off for work for at least two months. You’d be talking about three to six months of low activity.

He’ll probably fly into DC to vote on the Supreme Court situation, and then announce his retirement a week later.

[cgbg]

Camelhoe can only break ties.

[ETCM]

“You ain’t never the same when the air hits your brain.”

~Frank Vertosick, Neurosurgeon

The lack of information can’t be good. Were he making progress, his staff would be getting that out.

[Political Junkie Too]

They'd have to truck him in. I don't think a doctor would sign off on his flying for awhile.

-PJ

[The Antiyuppie]

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

This is a sad situation; there must be some way to handle that without leaving a black mark on that person for no reason of their own doing. Who knows how that affects benefits, etc.

[Luke21]

Making Axios and Yahoo nervous too.

[Political Junkie Too]

The biggest problem I see with Republicans calling for a reorganization vote is that as soon as Luján leaves the Senate, the New Mexico governor will appoint a Democrat to replace him and the Senate will shift back again.

The Republicans may gain a few months, if that. The advantage for Republicans would be control of the calendar, but that's it.

-PJ

[dsm69]

China Mitch McConnell doesn’t have the guts to do this. DimRats led by Schumer would do this in a minute if the roles were reversed.

However even if McConnell and the Senate GOP did this and regained control of the Senate with a 50-49 majority I’m sure it would be very temporary.

Within a few days at most Lujan would either voluntarily resign from the Senate due to health reasons or would pass away “by natural causes”, allowing the Commie DimRat New Mexico governor to immediately appoint a DimRat replacement to fill the seat until this falls general election, returning control of the Senate to the DimRats.

[cgbg]

PJ:

Republicans don’t know how to play dirty.

If the Democrats did it, they would seize control of all committees.

Then after the Senator died, they would accuse the Republicans of killing him and refuse to give up control, causing a constitutional crisis for months and perhaps a year or more.

[I-ambush]

Interesting. I tend to think of expulsion only for bad behavior, but I guess you are right; it could be used in this circumstance.

[allendale]

From a pure political perspective, it is probably best not to make what would be disparaged as a ghoulish power grab. However the political reality is that Schumer and Biden can’t accomplish anything without Republican votes and the Republicans currently have the power to de facto control the Senate agenda as long as they remain united. However Romney, Collins and Murkowski will elbow each other to play the roles of Manchin and Sinema on the big issues. As imperfect as the Republican Party is, the country would be better served if after the 2022 election, they controlled the Senate 55-45 during the balance of the corrupt, demented, decrepit Biden term and the rule of his cabal..

[Zathras]

Defiantly not a good sign.

[cgbg]

“what would be disparaged as a ghoulish power grab”

If the Republicans did it, it would be a “gloulish power grab”.

If the Democrats did it, it would be a heroic effort to reclaim the country for women, minorities and the disaffected!

[Locomotive Breath]

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?

That would be Joe Biden's entire senate career and nothing happened.

[House Atreides]

Yes… a perfect prayer.