U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) had to undergo surgery over the weekend after breaking his leg while celebrating the University of Connecticut's recent victory in the Men's NAA Basketball National Championship, the Washington Examiner reports.
Blumenthal, specifically, fractured his femur during the victory parade that was held in Hartford, Connecticut, on Saturday.
The 77-year-old Blumenthal explained what led to the broken leg in a Twitter message that he posted shortly after the incident.
He wrote:
What can I say, I love a parade! Thanks to [U.S. Sen.] Chris [Murphy (D-CT)] & everyone for the well wishes. I did indeed fracture my femur after a fellow parade goer tripped & fell on me during the parade today.
Blumenthal went on to say that he will undergo "routine surgery" on Sunday, the purpose of which is "just to make sure everything heals properly."
"I expect a full recovery!" Blumenthal concluded.
On Sunday, following his surgery, Blumenthal provided an update on his situation.
"I just got out of surgery to repair the minor fracture to my upper femur," Blumenthal wrote. "The surgery was completely successful and the staff, docs, and everyone here at Stamford Hospital has been magnificent."
The Democratic senator went on to say that he has begun "physical therapy," and he joked that he will not be "marching in any parades for a couple of weeks."
Blumenthal added, "I’m happy to report that I’m planning to be back in D.C. for votes next week."
The Examiner explains the significance of Blumenthal's absence from the U.S. Senate.
The outlet writes:
Democrats currently control the Senate by a 51-49 margin, meaning that one absent lawmaker could give Republicans an opportunity to block President Joe Biden's nominees and legislative efforts. The chamber has been beset by absences of members from both parties in recent months, which has complicated Democrats' ability to push certain priorities through the chamber and underscored just how tenuous their majority is.
For that reason, Republicans in the U.S. Senate would be hoping that Blumenthal takes his time recovering - in Connecticut. But, it appears that Blumenthal will be heading back to D.C. soon.
Blumenthal is in his third term as a U.S. Senator after being elected in 2011. Blumenthal is infamous for having claimed - on multiple occasions - that he served in the Vietnam War when in actuality he was only a Marine reservist who never left U.S. soil. Blumenthal, on at least one occasion, has apologized for the misrepresentation.
