Longest Tenured U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley Hospitalized Due To Infection

Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), 90, was hospitalized on Tuesday in order to receive treatment for an infection.

Grassley — who is the longest serving member of the U.S. Senate after being elected in 1981 — is receiving antibiotic infusions to treat the infection, his office said. “He is in good spirits and will return to work as soon as possible following doctors’ orders,” Grassley’s office announced in a statement.

JUST IN: Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley @ChuckGrassley is in the hospital. pic.twitter.com/bDUw6Hpx7q

— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) January 16, 2024

News of Grassley’s hospitalization was met with well wishes and offering of prayers from a number of his Senate colleagues.

“Laina and I are keeping Senator @ChuckGrassley and Barbara in our prayers. No one fights harder than Chuck- I am confident he’ll be back on his feet in no time,” Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) wrote in an X post.

“@ChuckGrassley is tough as nails and I’m glad to hear he is in good spirits and receiving care,” wrote Senator Rick Scott (R-FL). Get well soon, Chuck. We’ll have the @DairyQueen ready when you get back to the Senate!”

Grassley currently serves as the ranking Republican on the Senate Budget Committee. From 2019 through 2021, he served as Senate president pro tempore.

The longtime senator’s absence comes just days before the deadline for a potential government shutdown. Congressional leaders have tentatively agreed to a deal that will keep the government funded through March, though its passage will likely require support from both parties.

A number of Republicans have refused to vote on any package that does not require serious funding for the border crisis, while progressive Democrats have voted against recent temporary budget motions.

The Senate is slated to vote on a stopgap motion on Tuesday evening.