By — Andrew Taylor, Associated Press Andrew Taylor, Associated Press Leave a comment 0comments Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/thad-cochran-absent-congress-due-illness Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Thad Cochran absent from Congress due to illness Politics Oct 16, 2017 10:19 PM EDT Republican U.S. Senator Thad Cochran addresses supporters during an election night celebration after defeating Tea Party challenger Chris McDaniel in a run-off election in Jackson, Mississippi June 24, 2014. REUTERS/Lee Celano (UNITED STATES – Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS) – GM1EA6P0YF001 WASHINGTON — Mississippi Sen. Thad Cochran is continuing to grapple with a urinary tract infection that has delayed a planned return to Washington. The GOP veteran, 79, has been absent from Washington for a month. Cochran’s chief of staff Brad White came as Republicans controlling the Senate had hoped to pass a budget measure that’s a key step toward the party’s goal of rewriting the tax code. It’s unclear whether Cochran’s absence will delay the budget debate. Republicans control the Senate with a narrow 52-48 margin. White said Cochran’s wife told him late Saturday that the infection had returned. His office had said last week that Cochran would return to work on Monday. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Andrew Taylor, Associated Press Andrew Taylor, Associated Press @APAndrewTaylor
Republican U.S. Senator Thad Cochran addresses supporters during an election night celebration after defeating Tea Party challenger Chris McDaniel in a run-off election in Jackson, Mississippi June 24, 2014. REUTERS/Lee Celano (UNITED STATES – Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS) – GM1EA6P0YF001 WASHINGTON — Mississippi Sen. Thad Cochran is continuing to grapple with a urinary tract infection that has delayed a planned return to Washington. The GOP veteran, 79, has been absent from Washington for a month. Cochran’s chief of staff Brad White came as Republicans controlling the Senate had hoped to pass a budget measure that’s a key step toward the party’s goal of rewriting the tax code. It’s unclear whether Cochran’s absence will delay the budget debate. Republicans control the Senate with a narrow 52-48 margin. White said Cochran’s wife told him late Saturday that the infection had returned. His office had said last week that Cochran would return to work on Monday. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now