Mississippi Sen. Thad Cochran has postponed his return to Washington as he continues to grapple with a urinary tract infection and his absence could delay President Donald Trump’s promised wall at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Cochran, 79, who has been absent from Washington for a month, is the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, which has had its work interrupted because of his illness.
The panel had planned to vote on a key homeland security spending measure this week, with a showdown anticipated over spending for a down payment the wall. That measure is shelved for now.
Cochran announced on September 28 that he would be back on the Senate floor by today, but his wife told his chief of staff Brad White that the infection had returned.
‘After a day of monitoring his condition, and on the advice of his physicians and other health care professionals, Senator Cochran has postponed his return to Washington. He will continue his recuperation at home in Mississippi,’ White said.
Mississippi Sen. Thad Cochran has delayed his return to Washington as he continues to grapple with a urinary tract infection. The GOP veteran, 79, has been absent from Washington for a month. He is shown above in a file photo from June
Cochran’s office released a statement today that said his infection had returned so he will continue to recuperate in Mississippi
Drone photos show construction beginning on eight new border fence prototypes in the California desert this month
‘The Senator has expressed his intention to return to the Senate when his health permits, and to fulfill his commitment and duties to the people of his state.’
Earlier this month, construction began on eight prototypes for the wall on the Mexico border.
The announcement also comes as Republicans controlling the Senate hope to pass a budget measure that’s a key step toward the party’s goal of rewriting the tax code this week.
Republican sources said they still intend to have the vote regardless of the GOP veteran’s attendance.
However, the GOP only controls the Senate with a 52-48 margin. Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky and John McCain of Arizona have said that they will not support the proposal, which could leave the vote in a deadlock.
Cochran’s health has been the subject of speculation in Washington.
On September 27 President Trump erroneously tweeted that Cochran had been hospitalized.
Cochran tweeted directly after assuring his constituents – and Trump – that he was not in the hospital.
On September 27 President Trump erroneously tweeted that Cochran had been hospitalized
Cochran tweeted after assuring his constituents – and Trump – that he was not in the hospital
On September 28 Cochran announced that he expected to be back on the Senate floor on Monday October 16
He also tweeted a photo of himself meeting with a former Mississippi official on October 13, perhaps in response to widespread speculation that he is sicker than has been reported.
Cochran is a GOP loyalist and reliable vote for GOP leaders. A spokesman for Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he had no updates on whether Cochran’s absence would delay action this week on the budget.
He also tweeted a photo of himself meeting with a former Mississippi official on October 13, perhaps in response to widespread speculation that he is sicker than has been reported.
This graphic shows how President Donald Trump is planning the U.S.A./Mexico wall. Prototypes are being built in the California desert