{"id":2424309,"date":"2025-04-16T15:37:02","date_gmt":"2025-04-16T19:37:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/congressmans-extended-hospitalization-causes-problems-for-house-democrats\/"},"modified":"2025-04-16T15:39:04","modified_gmt":"2025-04-16T19:39:04","slug":"congressmans-extended-hospitalization-causes-problems-for-house-democrats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/congressmans-extended-hospitalization-causes-problems-for-house-democrats\/","title":{"rendered":"Congressman&#8217;s &#8216;Extended&#8217; Hospitalization Causes Problems for House Democrats"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fcongressmans-extended-hospitalization-causes-problems-for-house-democrats%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2424309&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>new Jersey Congressman Donald Norcross is currently hospitalized in intensive care after suffering a serious medical emergency. The 66-year-old Democrat experienced health issues during a flight from Florida to New Jersey, leading to a diversion to North Carolina for immediate care. He was later diagnosed with cholangitis,a gallbladder infection that escalated to sepsis,a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/hurricane-ian-update-florida-sheriff-reports-fatalities-are-in-the-hundreds-after-monster-storm\/\" title=\"Hurricane Ian Update: ... Sheriff Reports \u201cFatalities Are in the Hundreds\u201d After Monster Storm\">possibly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fda-lifts-restriction-on-remote-prescriptions-of-abortion-drugs\/\" title=\"FDA Lifts Restriction on Remote Prescriptions of Abortion Drugs\">life-threatening condition<\/a><\/a>. Although Norcross has undergone prosperous surgery to remove the gallstone causing the infection,his recovery may be prolonged,necessitating possible physical rehabilitation.<\/p>\n<p>This situation raises concerns for House Democrats, who are already facing challenges due to a slim majority in Congress and recent member losses. With Norcross unable to vote,the party&#8217;s legislative strength is diminished,<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">impacting critically important votes<\/a> on critical issues like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/interview-how-health-care-price-transparency-can-save-americans-money-and-put-consumers-in-charge\/\" title=\"INTERVIEW: How Health ... Price Transparency Can Save Americans Money And Put Consumers In Charge\">health care reform<\/a>. His office remains operational, and he is in contact with staff, but his absence creates strategic difficulties for Democratic leadership amidst a contentious legislative session.<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Eric Kupersmith, the chief physician at Cooper University Health Care, stated that while Norcross is responding to treatment, the timeline for his recovery is uncertain, potentially complicating the political landscape for Democrats as they navigate upcoming legislative challenges without his presence.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>New Jersey Rep. Donald Norcross is facing an extended hospitalization following a serious medical emergency, his office announced. The Democrat, who represents the state&rsquo;s 1st District, is currently in intensive care at Cooper University Hospital in Camden.<\/p>\n<p>Norcross, 66, suffered a medical event earlier this month while traveling in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/democratic-congressman-hospitalized-emergency-medical-event\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">North Carolina<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Norcross was on a flight to New Jersey from Florida last weekend when he began to feel unwell, and the plane was diverted to North Carolina so that the 66-year-old congressman could be hospitalized,&rdquo; the <a href=\"https:\/\/newjerseyglobe.com\/congress\/donald-norcross-may-face-long-road-to-recovery-after-gallbladder-infection-sepsis\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">New Jersey Globe<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n<p>He was ultimately transferred to Cooper University Hospital in his home state on April 7, <a href=\"https:\/\/norcross.house.gov\/press-releases?ID=BE10F182-FEFB-4969-B9A1-67A4AEB8B94A\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">according<\/a> to his own office.<\/p>\n<p>The congressman was diagnosed with cholangitis, a gallbladder infection, which progressed into sepsis, a life-threatening condition. Doctors at Cooper successfully removed the gallstone causing the infection, but Norcross remains in intensive care.<\/p>\n<p> <script type=\"text\/javascript\"> \t\t\tif ( getCookie( \"ff_subbed\" ) ) { \t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"stnvideo\").remove() \t\t\t} else { \t\t\t\tdocument.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\", function() { \t\t\t\t\tfunction loadScript(src) { \t\t\t\t\t\tconst script=document.createElement(\"script\"); \t\t\t\t\t\tscript.src=src; \t\t\t\t\t\tscript.async=true; \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.body.appendChild(script); \t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t\tfunction findPreviousParagraph(selector, x) { \t\t\t\t\t\tconst targetElement=document.querySelector(selector); \t\t\t\t\t\tif (!targetElement) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.warn(\"Target element not found.\"); \t\t\t\t\t\t\treturn null; \t\t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\t\t\/\/ Get all <\/p>\n<p> elements in order as they appear in the document \t\t\t\t\t\tlet paragraphs=Array.from(document.querySelectorAll(\"p\"));  \t\t\t\t\t\t\/\/ Find the index of the last <\/p>\n<p> before the target element \t\t\t\t\t\tlet targetIndex=paragraphs.findIndex(p=> p.compareDocumentPosition(targetElement) & Node.DOCUMENT_POSITION_PRECEDING);  \t\t\t\t\t\tif (targetIndex===-1 || targetIndex <x) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.warn(\"Not enough paragraphs before the target element.\"); \t\t\t\t\t\t\treturn null; \t\t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\t\treturn paragraphs[targetIndex - x]; \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\t\/\/ Set up IntersectionObserver \t\t\t\t\tfunction observeElement(element) { \t\t\t\t\t\tif (!element) return;  \t\t\t\t\t\tconst observer=new IntersectionObserver( \t\t\t\t\t\t\t(entries)=> { \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tentries.forEach(entry=> { \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tif (entry.isIntersecting) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.log(\"Paragraph is now visible:\", entry.target.textContent.trim()); \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tloadScript(\"https:\/\/embed.sendtonews.com\/player3\/embedcode.js?fk=s28Az7AY\"); \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tobserver.disconnect(); \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t\t\t\t\t}, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t{ threshold: 0.5 } \/\/ Adjust threshold as needed \t\t\t\t\t\t);  \t\t\t\t\t\tobserver.observe(element); \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\t\/\/ Find the 1st paragraph before #stnvideo and observe it \t\t\t\t\tlet paragraphToObserve=findPreviousParagraph(\"#stnvideo\", 2); \t\t\t\t\tobserveElement(paragraphToObserve); \t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t} \t\t<\/script> <\/p>\n<p>Dr. Eric Kupersmith, chief physician executive at Cooper University Health Care, provided an update. He said Norcross is responding well to treatment but &ldquo;faces an extended recovery that could require physical rehabilitation.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The extended nature of Norcross&rsquo; recovery is causing concern for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/house-democrats-working-scheme-gain-power-doge\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">House Democrats<\/a>. With Congress facing tight margins, every vote is critical on both sides of the aisle, as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/newsletters\/new-jersey-playbook\/2025\/04\/16\/donald-norcross-facing-extended-recovery-00292497\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">noted<\/a> by Politico.<\/p>\n<p>Norcross&rsquo; absence comes at a challenging time for Democrats. The party is already short several members due to recent deaths, including Rep. Bill Pascrell of New Jersey, who passed away in August 2024, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nj.com\/politics\/2024\/08\/nj-congressman-who-was-fierce-critic-of-trump-dies.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">per<\/a> nj.com.<\/p>\n<p>Another Democratic seat was vacated with the death of Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas in July 2024, as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.texastribune.org\/2024\/07\/19\/sheila-jackson-lee-dies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">noted<\/a> by the Texas Tribune. These losses have strained the party&rsquo;s numbers in the House.<\/p>\n<p>With Norcross sidelined, Democrats are struggling to maintain their voting strength. The House is currently divided, with Republicans holding a narrow 220-213 majority after the recent Florida special elections, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/us\/pair-florida-elections-could-boost-republicans-slim-us-house-majority-2025-04-01\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">according<\/a> to Reuters.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Last week, Norcross&rsquo;s absence &hellip; allowed the GOP to pass a controversial budget proposal &ndash; one that Norcross called &lsquo;disgusting&rsquo; and &lsquo;draconian&rsquo; in a statement.<\/p>\n<p>The congressman&rsquo;s office remains operational, with staff managing constituent services. Norcross is reportedly in contact with his team, monitoring events in Washington and his district.<\/p>\n<p>However, his physical presence in Congress is unlikely for the foreseeable future. Politico posited that this poses a strategic challenge for Democratic leadership as they navigate a contentious legislative session.<\/p>\n<p>House Democrats are already grappling with a packed agenda, including upcoming votes on health care reform. Norcross&rsquo; absence could further weaken their position on these critical issues.<\/p>\n<p>Sepsis, the condition Norcross is battling, occurs when the body overreacts to an infection, often leading to organ failure if untreated, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/sepsis\/symptoms-causes\/syc-20351214\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">according<\/a> to the Mayo Clinic. Septic shock has a mortality rate of 30 percent to 40 percent.<\/p>\n<p>The congressman&rsquo;s recovery timeline remains uncertain, with rehabilitation potentially extending for weeks or months. This uncertainty leaves Democrats in a precarious position as they plan their next moves.<\/p>\n<p>Democratic leaders may need to rely on special elections to fill vacant seats, but those take time.<\/p>\n<p>For now, they must navigate Congress without Norcross&rsquo; vote, a significant hurdle in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/house-democrats-caused-spectacle-al-green-censure-process-now-face-punishment\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">deeply divided House<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\"> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> \t\t<script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey==typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts={ \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs=[ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i=0; i <inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! ( opts[inputs[i]]=document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"' + inputs[i] + '\"]' ).value ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .required-message' ).style.display='block'; \t\t\t\t\t\treturn; \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction input[type=\"submit\"]' ).style.display='none'; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).src=firefly_loading_gif_url; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display='inline-block';  \t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( 'ma subbing' );  \t\t\t\t\tif( firefly_post_id ) opts['post_id']=firefly_post_id;  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Send the data using post with element id name and name2*\/ \t\t\t\t\tvar posting=jQuery.post( firefly_ajax_url, opts );  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Alerts the results *\/ \t\t\t\t\tposting.done( function( response ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tif( response.success ) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( response.data ); \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display='none'; \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-confirm' ).style.display='block';  \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdataLayer.push( { 'event': 'submit-correction' } ); \t\t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t} \t\t<\/script> \t     \t\t\t\t\t\t     \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p style=\"border: 1px solid #f5f5f5; padding: 16px;\">Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/advertise-us\/?wj_source=article\">Advertise Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><script>console.log(\"ad slot (BA1)\")<\/script> \t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>New Jersey Representative Donald Norcross is undergoing a prolonged hospitalization due to a serious medical emergency, as reported by his office. The 66-year-old Democrat, who serves the state\u2019s 1st District, is currently in intensive care at Cooper University Hospital in Camden. Earlier this month, while traveling in North Carolina, he experienced a medical issue that led to his hospitalization after a flight from Florida was diverted. He was later diagnosed with cholangitis\u2014a gallbladder infection that escalated into sepsis. Although doctors successfully removed the gallstone causing the infection, Norcross remains in intensive care and faces an extended recovery period that may involve physical rehabilitation. His absence raises concerns for House Democrats as they navigate tight margins and recent losses within their ranks due to member deaths<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2424310,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Donald-Norcross-still-hospitalized.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[4402,50426,33723],"class_list":["post-2424309","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-congress","tag-hospitalization-2","tag-house-democrats"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Donald-Norcross-still-hospitalized.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2424309","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2424309"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2424309\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2424313,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2424309\/revisions\/2424313"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2424310"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2424309"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2424309"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2424309"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}