Amid Heat Wave Senator Hospitalized
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) was briefly hospitalized on Wednesday morning after experiencing lightheadedness, which his office attributed to dehydration. The incident occurred amid an intense heat wave gripping the Washington, D.C., area, with temperatures soaring into the mid-90s.
According to a statement from Schumer's spokesperson, the 74-year-old lawmaker had been at the Senate gym when he began feeling lightheaded. Out of caution, he was taken to the hospital for evaluation and treatment. He has since returned to work on Capitol Hill.
“Leader Schumer was at the Senate gym this morning and got lightheaded. Out of an abundance of caution, he went to the hospital to be treated for dehydration and is now back at work in the Capitol,” the spokesperson confirmed. “He wants to remind everyone to drink some water and stay out of the heat.”
NBC News’ Frank Thorp V reported that Schumer attended a press event shortly after returning to the Capitol but did not take questions. He offered brief remarks at a gathering with families of victims from Continental Flight 3407 before leaving the room.
The National Weather Service (NWS) had issued a heat advisory for Wednesday, warning of hazardous conditions due to high temperatures and humidity.
Advisories were also issued for Thursday. The NWS urged residents to take precautions such as drinking fluids, staying in air-conditioned areas, avoiding direct sun, and checking on vulnerable individuals.
Schumer’s episode occurred the same day he issued a congratulatory statement on X for Zohran Mamdani, a progressive Democrat who secured a victory in the New York City mayoral primary.
Schumer praised Mamdani’s campaign for its focus on affordability and fairness and noted his long-standing acquaintance with the candidate through past activism.
“I have known [Mamdani] since we worked together to provide debt relief for thousands of beleaguered taxi drivers & fought to stop a fracked gas plant in Astoria,” Schumer wrote. “He ran an impressive campaign that connected with New Yorkers about affordability, fairness, & opportunity.”