House Democratic Whip Hoyer is receiving hospital treatment for pneumococcal pneumonia

WASHINGTON – House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) is receiving inpatient hospital treatment for pneumococcal pneumonia, according to a spokesperson for the congressman.

“Mr. Hoyer was admitted to the George Washington University Hospital yesterday (Monday) and was diagnosed with pneumococcal pneumonia,” Communications Director Katie Grant said in a statement provided to media outlets on Tuesday.

Grant added: “He (Hoyer) is being treated with antibiotics and resting, and is expected to make a full recovery quickly. He looks forward to being back at work very soon.”

Politico first reported Hoyer’s hospitalization.  The hospitalization was preceded by a weekend in which Hoyer, 79, campaigned for House Democrats in swing-districts in Wisconsin and Illinois. Hoyer remains hospitalized as of Wednesday morning, according to Politico.

Hoyer is the second highest-ranking House Democrat. He has served in Congress since 1981. Hoyer served as House Majority Leader from 2007-11.

Hoyer’s hospitalization comes as establishment Democrats are under attack by more progressive elements within the party.

Last week 10-term congressman and House Democratic Caucus Chair Joe Crowley (N.Y.) suffered an unexpected primary defeat at the hands of 28-year-old community organizer and self-professed Democratic Socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Ocasio-Cortez supported the presidential campaign of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). Most establishment Democrats backed Hillary Clinton.

This article is republished with permission from Talk Media News