Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, is surrounded by reporters after talking about the final work of the Senate as the legislative year nears to a close, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2013.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was hospitalized early Friday morning as a precaution after he wasn’t feeling well, his office said in a statement.
“Tests have been conducted and everything is normal. He is alert, resting and feeling better,” Reid spokesman Adam Jentleson said. “Doctors have asked that he remain in the hospital for observation so he will not be working today.”
The Senate has been pulling a series of all-nighters the last two weeks as Republicans force Democrats to run out the clock on dozens of nominations, retaliation for Reid triggering the so-called “nuclear option” and changing the filibuster rules on some nominations in November. Such sessions can be tough on an aged Senate. Reid is 74.
Reid, a former boxer in his youth, got into a minor car crash in October 2012 in his native Nevada, but has otherwise been healthy.
“Senator Reid called me this morning,” Dick Durbin, the No. 2 Senate Democrat, said opening the Senate floor Friday morning. “He sounded good and we look forward to his speedy recovery.”