WASHINGTON – Rep. Donald Payne Jr., D-N.J. remains hospitalized after suffering a “heart attack” early this month due to complications related to his diabetes, his office said in a statement Wednesday.
The update comes more than a week after Payne’s office spoke of “his improvement,” a “good” prognosis and the expectation of a “full recovery.”
“Congressman Donald M PayneJr. suffered a heart attack last week due to complications from his diabetes,” his office said in a statement Wednesday. “Today he is in a stable condition at a local hospital and continues to be under medical care. While we hope for a full recovery, we ask everyone to keep him in your prayers.”
The new statement also follows a report from the New Jersey Globe that Payne remains unconscious. Asked about the report, a Payne spokesperson referred NBC News to the agency’s recent statement.
The latest characterization paints a sharper picture of the severity of Payne’s condition than the initial statement released on April 9, days after the incident.
“He is currently recovering in hospital while doctors conduct routine examinations to monitor and observe his improvement,” the earlier statement said. “The congressman’s prognosis is good and he is expected to make a full recovery.”
Payne, 65, is running unopposed in the June 4 Democratic primary. He has represented New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District, which covers parts of Essex, Hudson and Union counties, since 2012. His father was the first black person elected to Congress from New Jersey; he died of cancer in 2012.
With slim margins in the House of Representatives, Payne’s absence could have a significant impact on the vote.
The current party split is 218 Republicans to 213 Democrats, but when Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., resigns this weekend, that will change to 217-213. If Payne is absent, the maximum number of Democrats voting would be reduced to 212.
In a 217-213 scenario, Republicans can afford only one defection from the Republican Party. But if it’s a 217-212 crisis, they can afford two and still pass legislation without help from Democrats.
Kyle Stewart reported from Washington and Zoë Richards from New York.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
