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On Friday, Pennsylvania Democrat John Fetterman was discharged from Walter Reed Medical Center after receiving treatment for clinical depression when he voluntarily checked himself into the facility earlier this year on the recommendation of the congressional physician.
Fetterman’s office issued a press release stating that he is in remission after receiving treatment for depression and is currently located in Braddock, Pennsylvania, Fox News reported.
“I am so happy to be home. I’m excited to be the father and husband I want to be, and the senator Pennsylvania deserves. Pennsylvanians have always had my back, and I will always have theirs,” Fetterman said, per the release.
“I am extremely grateful to the incredible team at Walter Reed. The care they provided changed my life. I will have more to say about this soon, but for now I want everyone to know that depression is treatable, and treatment works. This isn’t about politics — right now there are people who are suffering with depression in red counties and blue counties. If you need help, please get help,” he added.
According to Fox News, “Fetterman has missed 53 of the 64 Senate roll call votes during February and March as a result of being hospitalized.” Doctors said his clinical depression was most likely the result of a major stroke he suffered a year ago next month while he was campaigning against Trump-backed GOP Senate nominee Dr. Mehmet Oz.
Previous reports noted that Fetterman is slated to return to the Senate formally in mid-April.
POLITICO noted that “Fetterman plans to return to the Senate the week of April 17 after more than a month of inpatient treatment for depression, according to two people with direct knowledge of his plan.”
Fetterman’s admission to Walter Reed occurred in mid-February. His return is expected to ease concerns for Senate Democrats, who have been grappling with absences in the midst of a narrow majority over the past few weeks.
A source close to Fetterman confirmed to POLITICO that the Pennsylvania Democrat will resume his Senate duties after the upcoming two-week April recess. His return is expected to ease the challenges faced by Senate Democrats managing absences over the past month. Fetterman was among several senators who were absent from the Senate recently, including Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), who have both missed substantial amounts of time due to medical reasons.
Fetterman’s recent health issues have led to calls from Republicans for him to resign, but his team confirmed earlier this year it’s not an option that’s being considered.
“While John has experienced depression off and on throughout his life, it only became severe in recent weeks,” Adam Jentleson, Fetterman’s chief of staff, said when his team announced the senator’s situation in mid-February after his latest admission.
“After examining John, the doctors at Walter Reed told us that John is getting the care he needs, and will soon be back to himself,” he said at the time, stopping short of addressing how long he would be out.
Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., "checked himself into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to receive treatment for clinical depression,” his chief of staff, Adam Jentleson, said. @ryanobles reports on the latest. pic.twitter.com/NOfB2og0aL
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) February 17, 2023
Prior to checking himself into Walter Reed, Fetterman “was evaluated by Dr. Brian P. Monahan, the Attending Physician of the United States Congress. Yesterday, Dr. Monahan recommended inpatient care at Walter Reed. John agreed, and he is receiving treatment on a voluntary basis,” Jentleson said.
Fetterman’s wife, Gisele, noted after her husband’s self-admission that she is “so proud of him for asking for help,” CNN noted.
“After what he’s been through in the past year, there’s probably no one who wanted to talk about his own health less than John. I’m so proud of him for asking for help and getting the care he needs,” she tweeted. “This is a difficult time for our family, so please respect our privacy.”
His admission for depression had come after his office announced had previously been hospitalized for a couple of days after he suffered an episode of dizziness.
The New York Times reported at the time that some who were close to Fetterman were concerned about his health.
