Top Democrat Steny Hoyer, 85, suffers a stroke

A longtime Maryland Democrat and one of the longest-serving members in Congress survived a stroke over the weekend his team announced Tuesday. 

Rep. Steny Hoyer, 85, who has represented Maryland in Congress since first being elected in 1981, suffered an ischemic stroke on Sunday.

'On Sunday night, August 11, Rep. Steny Hoyer experienced a mild ischemic stroke and sought medical treatment,' Hoyer spokesperson Margaret Mulkerrin wrote in a statement. 

'Mr. Hoyer has responded well to treatment and has no lingering symptoms. He expects to resume his normal schedule next week.'  

'Mr. Hoyer’s wife and family extend their deepest thanks to his medical team,' the statement concluded.

Hoyer, the House Majority Leader, was previously hospitalized in 2018 after having a pneumonia, though he recovered quickly and got back to the Capitol shortly after. 

At the time he was admitted to the George Washington University hospital in Washington, D.C. and was put on antibiotics. 

It is unclear at this time what medical center treated Hoyer or if he has been prescribed medication to deal with any potential side effects.  

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., similarly experienced a stroke in 2022 while running for office. 

His stroke forced the Democrat to rely on audio-visual transcription aides while dealing with other lawmakers, press and more.

In subsequent interviews after his stroke Fetterman admitted that the scary health episode 'technically' killed him. 

'And my speech started to make - I was arguing all the way 'til we got there, but my brain was fighting to get - literally, I was in the process of dying,' Fetterman said.