US Senator Johnson Has `Successful' Brain Surgery, Doctor Says (Nadine Elsibai)

Created by : Francis Goodwin View profile

By Nadine Elsibai

Dec. 14 (Bloomberg) -- Senator Tim Johnson underwent successful surgery to relieve bleeding in his brain and treat a congenital malformation of his arteries, his doctor said.

Johnson, 59, a Democrat from South Dakota, is recovering ``without complication'' and it is too early to determine if he will need further surgery, Admiral John Eisold, the attending physician of the U.S. Capitol, said in a statement.

``The Johnson family is encouraged and optimistic,'' said Johnson's wife Barbara in a statement.

Johnson was taken by ambulance to George Washington University Hospital in Washington yesterday afternoon after becoming disoriented during a conference call with reporters.

Control of the new U.S. Senate may depend on Johnson's health after Democrats won a 51-49 majority in the Nov. 7 midterm elections. If Johnson's seat were to become vacant, South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds, a Republican, may appoint a Republican replacement.

That would shift the partisan balance to 50-50 and give Republicans control through the tie-breaking vote of Vice President Dick Cheney.