Sen. Harry Reid will miss his demotion Tuesday to minority leader of the Senate after a doctor ordered him to remain at home to recover from wounds he sustained while using exercise equipment, his office said.
Mr. Reid flew from Nevada to Washington a few days ago, but his spokesman said his doctor told him he’s not allowed to go to the office Tuesday, to give his injuries more time to heal.
Mr. Reid suffered broken bones in his face and three broken ribs, as well as a concussion.
“Despite his injuries, he has been working every day, holding meetings with fellow senators and staff,” spokesman Adam Jentleson said.
Mr. Reid also posted a photo on Twitter showing him meeting with his leadership team. The dark photo shows him sitting in a chair with a bandage across his forehead and eye, speaking with Sens. Patty Murray, Charles E. Schumer and Richard Durbin.
The Senate convenes for the new Congress on Tuesday and Mr. Reid was to face a difficult day, giving up the majority leader’s post he held for eight years. He led his party to disastrous defeats in last year’s elections, but Democrats re-elected him as their leader, giving him a chance to try to right the ship in time for 2016, when he himself is also up for re-election.
Mr. Durbin will fill in for Mr. Reid Tuesday in his absence.
The Senate only has ceremonial duties scheduled for the day.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.
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