Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. (Danielle Richards for New Jersey Monitor)
U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-09) faced a “setback” and required breathing assistance while recovering from a respiratory infection that left him hospitalized last week, his chief of staff said.
“The medical professionals at St. Joe’s have given the congressman breathing assistance and are monitoring his condition. Doctors tell us he continues to improve and remain hopeful for a complete recovery. He is currently devouring CNN for fresh Harris campaign news,” said Ben Rich, the congressman’s chief of staff.
It’s not clear what kind of breathing assistance the congressman required or if he required a ventilator.
Pascrell, 87, was hospitalized in Paterson on July 14 after coming down with a fever.
The congressman is the eldest member of New Jersey’s congressional delegation and has served in Congress since 1997. He was a member of New Jersey’s General Assembly for nine years, including seven when he was both an Assemblyman and Paterson mayor.
He is seeking a 15th term in November.
The congressman was briefly hospitalized for a heart bypass surgery in 2020 following a hospital visit for nausea and heartburn that led to doctors discovering blockages in his arteries.
His hospitalization comes months after the death of Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (D-Essex), who was hospitalized following a heart attack that left Payne unconscious on a ventilator. A special election for the remainder of Payne’s unexpired term is set for Sept. 18.
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