Last month, Sen. John Fetterman checked himself into Walter Reed medical center in Washington, D.C., to receive medical treatment. However, this has not stopped the senator from engaging in political duties on capitol hill, as he has recently co-sponsored a bill inspired by the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.
On February 15, Fetterman was checked into the medical center to receive treatment for “clinical depression” following the recommendation of the attending physician of the United States Congress. According to a statement released from Fetterman’s office, “Last night, Senator John Fetterman checked himself into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to receive treatment for clinical depression. While John has experienced depression off and on throughout his life, it only became severe in recent weeks.”
“On Monday, John was evaluated by Dr. Brian P. Monahan, the Attending Physician of the United States Congress,” the statement continued. “Yesterday, Dr. Monahan recommended inpatient care at Walter Reed. John agreed, and he is receiving treatment on a voluntary basis. After examining John, the doctors at Walter Reed told us that John is getting the care he needs, and will soon be back to himself.”
Bill S.576 was introduced to the Senate on Wednesday by Sen. Sherrod Brown. Co-sponsors include Sens. John Fetterman, JD Vance, Robert Casey Jr., Marco Rubio, and Josh Hawley. The bill is titled, “A bill to enhance safety requirements for trains transporting hazardous materials, and for other purposes.” Additionally, Fetterman has co-sponsored several other bills while residing in the institution. The Post Millennial reports:
In addition to the most recent bill, Fetterman has cosponsored four other bills that were introduced during his hospital stay.
S.567, “A bill to amend the National Labor Relations Act, the Labor Management Relations Act, 1947, and the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959, and for other purposes,” was introduced on February 28.
S.512, “A bill to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to provide for additional disclosure requirements for corporations, labor organizations, Super PACs and other entities, and for other purposes,” S.497, “A bill to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to exclude a basic allowance for housing from income for purposes of eligibility for the supplemental nutrition assistance program,” was introduced on February 16, and S.494, “A bill to require a background check for every firearm sale,” were all introduced on February 16, the day that news broke of Fetterman’s hospitalization.
There is growing speculation surrounding the senator’s health and whether he is in a state to be participating in legislation. Stephen Miller of The Spectator questioned Fetterman’s Chief of Staff on Twitter about how the Senator would sign legislation in the hospital. “Adam, who is co-signing and introducing Senate legislation from Senator Fetterman’s office while he himself is currently hospitalized and under current medical observation?” Miller inquired.
Adam, who is co-signing and introducing Senate legislation from Senator Fetterman's office while he himself is currently hospitalized and under current medical observation?https://t.co/3P77DaZhK1
— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) March 2, 2023
Fetterman’s Chief of Staff, Adam Jentleson, ended up blocking Miller. “Why is the chief of staff of a United States Senator blocking people on Twitter who are asking about the Senator’s constitutional ability to vote on or introduce legislation?” Miller said.
It is reported that Sen. Fetterman will be hospitalized for a length of time while receiving medications and undergoing speech therapy.
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