Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, was taken to the hospital and apparently diagnosed with dehydration Friday morning after nearly passing out during a press conference.
Nadler began to slump in his seat after giving a speech about speed enforcement cameras in school zones alongside Mayor Bill DeBlasio at P.S. 199 in the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
Dehydrated
DeBlasio asked Nadler during the press conference if he was okay, and Nadler answered, “No.” Others attending the press conference gave Nadler and orange and water, which appeared to make him feel better.
BREAKING:@RepJerryNadler has health scare during an event along side @NYCMayor talking about speed cameras. Appears to be dehydrated and pass out. He looks paper white. pic.twitter.com/dTFlPMWhgG
— Henry Rosoff (@HenryRosoff) May 24, 2019
Even so, an ambulance was called and Nadler was taken to a local hospital for treatment and observation, according to Fox News. A spokesperson for Nadler later said that he was feeling better and was only dehydrated in the warm room earlier.
Nadler later repeated on Twitter that he had been dehydrated and warm, was feeling better, and thanked everyone for their concerns and thoughts.
Appreciate everyone’s concern. Was very warm in the room this morning, was obviously dehydrated and felt a bit ill. Glad to receive fluids and am feeling much better. Thank you for your thoughts.
— (((Rep. Nadler))) (@RepJerryNadler) May 24, 2019
Vocal impeachment proponent
The House Judiciary Committee Chair is 71 years old. He has been in the House of Representatives since 1992.
Nadler has been vocal in pressuring Democratic leadership to move forward with impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump as well as a contempt vote against Attorney General William Barr. Nadler has clashed with Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and other Democratic lawmakers who urge more caution before attempting impeachment.
Pelosi has pointed to a series of recent court rulings against Trump that have allowed Democrats access to financial records over his objections. She has urged Nadler to let the process take its course and said that impeachment may happen, but she doesn’t think now is the right time.
Nadler’s frustration stems from Trump and his administration’s perceived stonewalling of the Judiciary Committee, including ignoring multiple subpoenas. He is backed by other Democrats on the committee like Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA) and Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL) who are urging faster movement on impeachment.
Little public support for impeachment
But public opinion seems to favor Pelosi’s approach. A recent Politico poll reported in The Hill that only 28 percent of Americans thought starting impeachment proceedings against Trump should be at the top of Congress’s priority list.
The release of the Mueller report let considerable wind out of the Democrats’ sails where impeachment is concerned. Despite Democrats’ insistence that the report showed wrongdoing by Trump, the public saw the report as largely an exoneration of the president.
While the push toward impeachment rests largely on the shoulders of Nadler and his committee, it remains to be seen whether he can override the voices of caution in his own party. Only the House may be needed for an impeachment vote, but Senate participation is needed to actually try to remove Trump from office.
That won’t be happening any time soon with Republicans firmly in charge of the Senate.
No comments: