Rep. Tom Reed was unable to make his scheduled appearance on Fox Business this week. The New York Republican collapsed in the Capitol just minutes before he was scheduled to go on air.
Reporter Samantha-Jo Roth tweeted out an account of the incident shortly after it occurred.
Diagnosed with pneumonia
“Paramedics are now wheeling Rep. Tom Reed out of the Cannon Rotunda. He is awake and alert. It’s unclear if he sustained any major injuries from the fall,” she tweeted.
Paramedics are now wheeling Rep. Tom Reed out of the Cannon Rotunda. He is awake and alert. It’s unclear if he sustained any major injuries from the fall. pic.twitter.com/H1VHh5MNJ3
— Samantha-Jo Roth (@SamanthaJoRoth) September 19, 2019
The Ithaca Journal reports that Reed, 47, was brought to George Washington University Hospital for evaluation and diagnosed with pneumonia but is expected to return to work on Monday.
Communications Director Will Reinert was quoted as saying, “Everything is fine. He is in stable condition and being checked out by medical personnel.”
“Expected to return to work on Monday”
Reed himself later thanked supporters for their concern and pledged to be back on the job soon.
“Thank you to everyone for their thoughts and prayers. After my evaluation by the doctors at George Washington University Hospital, it turns out I had a previously undiagnosed case of pneumonia. I look forward to returning to work on Monday,” The Hill reported him saying.
The four-term congressman holds a seat on the powerful Ways and Means Committee and serves as Republican chair of the House Problem Solvers Caucus.
History of health concerns
This isn’t the first time Reed has lost consciousness: in 2010, the congressman passed out in a hotel room with his family. That led to a diagnosis with pulmonary embolism — a blood clot in his lungs.
A former athlete, he has long struggled with his weight, and ultimately decided to undergo gastric bypass surgery.
Reed isn’t the only representative from New York to have recently had health concerns. Back in May, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler had a scare at an event in New York. Nadler later downplayed the event, blaming it on the room temperature and being dehydrated.
“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,” Nadler tweeted.
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