Leahy back at home after brief hospitalization

Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy is back home after a short hospital visit because he felt unwell on Tuesday night, according to his spokesperson.

“The Capitol Physician suggested that Senator Leahy go to George Washington University Hospital this evening for observation, out of an abundance of caution,” spokesperson David Carle said in a statement. “After getting test results back, and after a thorough examination, Senator Leahy now is home. He looks forward to getting back to work.“

Carle didn’t provide more details on the 80-year-old Democratic senator’s symptoms that briefly sent him to the hospital.

Leahy is supposed to preside over President Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial starting on Feb. 9 as president pro tempore of the Senate. The president pro tempore is third in line of succession to the presidency and Leahy has already held the position twice.

“The president pro tempore has historically presided over Senate impeachment trials of non-presidents,” he said in a statement earlier this week. Republicans have criticized Leahy's role in the upcoming trial since, as a senator, he's also a juror in the proceedings.

“I consider holding the office of the president pro tempore and the responsibilities that come with it to be one of the highest honors and most serious responsibilities of my career. When I preside over the impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump, I will not waver from my constitutional and sworn obligations to administer the trial with fairness, in accordance with the Constitution and the laws."

The Vermont Democrat, who has spent 46 years in the Senate, also just became chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee.