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. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! 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. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now