Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley Hospitalized With Infection

(NewsSpace.com) – There’s been a lot of concern lately about aging lawmakers, especially in the face of the late Senator Dianne Feinstein’s death and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY) freezing episodes at the podium. Now, the oldest member of the Senate, Chuck Grassley (R-IA), has been hospitalized with an infection.

On Tuesday, January 16, Grassley’s office announced that he was hospitalized and “receiving antibiotic infusions” in the Washington, DC, area. Taylor Foy, his spokesperson, said he entered the hospital on Sunday, where he underwent testing to determine a diagnosis. They did not release any other details on the type of infection he has or how long the treatment is expected to last; they only said it’s ongoing. He did say that Grassley is “continuing to make good progress with his treatment” and is expected to make a full recovery.

The senator, who is 90 years old and has served eight terms, is known for being very healthy, other than a hip replacement surgery last year that left him temporarily using a scooter to get around. He regularly enjoys morning runs and “never likes to be away from his job,” according to Foy. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) posted on X, formerly Twitter, saying she was keeping Grassley and his wife in her prayers.

Upon Feinstein’s death, Grassley took over as the oldest member of the Senate. He has been serving since 1981, though he has spent almost his entire adult life in politics. Grassley was elected to the state legislature when he was 23 and spent 18 years there. Then, he was elected to the House of Representatives in 1974, where he spent six years before his election to the Senate in 1980.

A statement from his office said, “He is in good spirits and will return to work as soon as possible, following doctors’ orders.” However, Grassley’s absence is a bit concerning considering that Congress is working to pass budget bills to prevent a government shutdown.

On Thursday evening, Grassley himself confirmed via post on X/Twitter that he’d been released from the hospital, and hopes to get back to work quickly.