The balance of power in the legislative branch of the federal government is in the hands of GW doctors.
U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) underwent brain surgery late Dec. 13 after being rushed to GW Hospital in the afternoon for experiencing stroke-like symptoms. Doctors have called the surgery a success throughout the past month, and his status was upgraded from "critical" to "fair" last week. Should Johnson not be able to continue his position in the Senate, South Dakota Gov. Mike Round, a Republican, would appoint a replacement.
Choosing a fellow member of the GOP would shift control of the Senate from the Democrats' 51-49 majority to 50-50. In the event of a split vote on a bill, Vice President Dick Cheney would break the tie.
Admiral John Eisold, attending physician of the United States Capitol, said in a statement released by the senator's office that doctors found bleeding within Johnson's brain. The condition, called a congenital arteriovenous malformation, has been with the 59-year-old since birth.
"He underwent successful surgery to evacuate the blood and stabilize the malformation," Eisold said in the statement in December. "The senator is recovering without complication in the critical care unit at George Washington University Hospital. It is premature to determine whether further surgery will be required or to assess any long term prognosis."
The surgical team included Dr. Vivek Deshmukh, a neurosurgeon at GW Medical Center; Dr. Anthony Caputy, chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery and a GW professor; and Dr. Anthony Venbrux, director of Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology and a GW professor.
Johnson remained in the hospital's ICU until last week when he was transferred to the in-patient rehabilitation unit. His office said he will participate in aggressive therapy while in recovery and is being gradually taken off his tracheotomy tube, which assists his breathing.
"Sen. Johnson underwent an MRI which showed that his speech centers were spared of injury," Deshmukh said in a statement last week. "This is confirmed by the fact that he is following commands and has started to say words."
U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) underwent brain surgery late Dec. 13 after being rushed to GW Hospital in the afternoon for experiencing stroke-like symptoms. Doctors have called the surgery a success throughout the past month, and his status was upgraded from "critical" to "fair" last week. Should Johnson not be able to continue his position in the Senate, South Dakota Gov. Mike Round, a Republican, would appoint a replacement.
Choosing a fellow member of the GOP would shift control of the Senate from the Democrats' 51-49 majority to 50-50. In the event of a split vote on a bill, Vice President Dick Cheney would break the tie.
Admiral John Eisold, attending physician of the United States Capitol, said in a statement released by the senator's office that doctors found bleeding within Johnson's brain. The condition, called a congenital arteriovenous malformation, has been with the 59-year-old since birth.
"He underwent successful surgery to evacuate the blood and stabilize the malformation," Eisold said in the statement in December. "The senator is recovering without complication in the critical care unit at George Washington University Hospital. It is premature to determine whether further surgery will be required or to assess any long term prognosis."
The surgical team included Dr. Vivek Deshmukh, a neurosurgeon at GW Medical Center; Dr. Anthony Caputy, chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery and a GW professor; and Dr. Anthony Venbrux, director of Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology and a GW professor.
Johnson remained in the hospital's ICU until last week when he was transferred to the in-patient rehabilitation unit. His office said he will participate in aggressive therapy while in recovery and is being gradually taken off his tracheotomy tube, which assists his breathing.
"Sen. Johnson underwent an MRI which showed that his speech centers were spared of injury," Deshmukh said in a statement last week. "This is confirmed by the fact that he is following commands and has started to say words."
