Oldest US Senator Chuck Grassley Hospitalized with Infection

Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, 90, the oldest member of the US Senate, has been admitted to a hospital in Iowa for treatment of an infection. The infection has led to the need for antibiotic infusions, as confirmed by Senator Grassley’s office. Unfortunately, he will not be able to participate in the Senate vote on a short-term spending bill aimed at avoiding a government shutdown on Tuesday.

Known for his remarkable record of perfect attendance with 27 years of not missing a vote, Senator Grassley had previously missed a vote in 2020 due to testing positive for Covid-19. Despite his age, he has remained an active participant in Senate affairs throughout his extensive career.

In a statement released by his office, it was stated, “Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is receiving antibiotic infusions at an area hospital to treat an infection. He is in good spirits and will return to work as soon as possible following doctors’ orders.” The statement, however, did not provide further details about the infection.

Following the passing of California Senator Dianne Feinstein in September, Senator Grassley assumed the role of the oldest member in the Senate. He was first elected to the Senate in 1980 and has since been re-elected seven times, displaying significant dedication to public service. Prior to his absence in 2020, the last time Senator Grassley missed a vote was in 1993 when his state was severely affected by devastating floods.

It is worth noting that several older legislators have faced health concerns and hospital visits in recent months. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, for instance, was admitted to the hospital last spring after a fall. However, Senator Grassley’s absence at this particular time is a critical setback for his party, which is currently negotiating a spending deal with Democrats to avoid a federal government shutdown.

To prevent the government agencies from running out of funding, Senator Grassley’s colleagues are set to vote on a short-term deal that would keep the government funded until March on Tuesday night. The clock is ticking, and without an agreement, some government agencies could face funding shortages starting from Friday.