Gov. Wes Moore (D) and U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-5th) listen to a question from the media at a Nov. 10, 2023, press conference about a new Federal Bureau of Investigation headquarters planned for Maryland. Photo by Danielle E. Gaines.
U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-5th), Maryland’s senior member of Congress, suffered a mild stroke on Sunday night, his office announced late Tuesday afternoon.
The 85-year-old lawmaker “has no lingering symptoms,” a spokesperson said, and expects to be back at work next week.
“On Sunday night, August 11, Rep. Steny Hoyer experienced a mild ischemic stroke and sought medical treatment,” Hoyer’s deputy chief of staff, Margaret Mulkerrin, said in the statement . “Mr. Hoyer has responded well to treatment and has no lingering symptoms. He expects to resume his normal schedule next week. Mr. Hoyer’s wife and family extend their deepest thanks to his medical team.”
A transient ischemic attack is generally referred to as a “ministroke.” It’s triggered by a brief blockage of blood flow to part of the brain, spinal cord or the retina. This blockage may cause temporary stroke-like symptoms, according to medical websites.
Hoyer’s office offered no immediate details on where Hoyer was when the stroke occurred, or where he sought medical treatment.
Congress is in recess until after Labor Day, and Hoyer was expecting to attend the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next week. But it isn’t immediately clear if he will move forward with those plans.
News of Hoyer’s stroke quickly brought well-wishes from colleagues and acquaintances. Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D) in a social media post wished Hoyer “a speedy recovery and know you will be back delivering for Marylanders, as you always have” – followed shortly thereafter by former Gov. Larry Hogan (R), Alsobrooks’ opponent in this fall’s election for Senate, who wished Hoyer well on behalf of himself and his wife, Yumi.
Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-4th) wished “my colleague @RepStenyHoyer a speedy recovery this week,” while the Maryland Democratic Party’s official X account wished him well and said it looked “forward to seeing him back on the campaign trail soon!”
Hoyer is an icon in both Maryland politics and on Capitol Hill, a rousing orator who is most at home at political gatherings like the Democratic convention.
He is the senior-most Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives and the third most senior member overall, having entered Congress after winning a special election in 1981. He rose to become the second-ranking House Democrat for several years before exiting leadership at the beginning of this Congress.
Hoyer has been heavily favored to win a 22nd full term in November over Republican Michelle Talkington. He is already the longest-serving member of Congress in Maryland history.
U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) suffered a mini-stroke in May 2022 while addressing the Western Maryland Democratic Summit in Cumberland. He briefly leaned forward while delivering a speech but showed no other signs of distress, but said later he felt a popping in his neck at the time. Only after consulting with doctors on the car ride home did he realize something might be seriously wrong.
Doctors kept him in the hospital for a week, for observation. He then recuperated for a few days at home before returning to work — remotely while the Senate was in recess, then in the office.
Van Hollen was 63 at the time and has shown no ill effects from the stroke since.
– Reporter Elijah Pittman contributed to this report.
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