Cochran's health issues raise questions

Sen. Thad Cochran's extended absence from Congress has brought renewed questions as to whether the senior senator from Mississippi and chair of Appropriations is healthy enough to continue to serve.

Last week, a Politco report citing unnamed "sources close to the senator" said concern has been growing in Washington over whether he would return to work Monday as his office has said for weeks and over how long he would be able to run the powerful Appropriations Committee or remain in the Senate.

Cochran's failure to return to work Monday has prompted numerous national news reports saying GOP leaders are worried about an extended absence of a key member of the budget setting process and a Republican vote they can't afford to lose on pending measures.

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Cochran's office on Sept. 27 announced that Cochran, 79, "was recently treated for a urological issue and is currently recuperating in Mississippi" and he has been absent from Congress since.

After President Donald Trump indicated Cochran was in the hospital during a speech about repealing Obamacare, Cochran on Sept. 28 issued a statement saying, "I will return to the Senate on October 16 in order to continue work on the appropriations process and participate in upcoming debates on the budget and tax reform.”

The Politico report said multiple sources close to Cochran said his staff and advisers had received limited information about his health.

But Cochran's office on Friday offered little comment, beyond, "The previous statement still stands. The senator plans to return to the Senate on Monday, Oct. 16." Later on Friday, Cochran tweeted a photo of him and his brother, Nielsen, captioned "Enjoying spending time today with my brother, Nielsen, former Mississippi public service commissioner."

But on Monday morning, Cochran Chief of Staff Brad White issued a statement saying Cochran's wife had informed him late Saturday night that he has developed another urinary tract infection. 

"After a day of monitoring his condition, and on the advice of his physicians and other health care professionals, Sen. Cochran has postponed his return to Washington," White said in a statement. "He will continue his recuperation at home in Mississippi.  The senator has expressed his intention to return to the Senate when his health permits, and to fulfill his commitment and duties to the people of his state.”

Cochran's health and age became an issue in his 2014 primary challenge from state Sen. Chris McDaniel. McDaniel supporters questioned whether Cochran was up to serving a seventh six-year term in the Senate.

Cochran has missed at least the last 15 votes in the Senate.

He cast his last vote Sept. 18 when he voted to approve the National Defense Authorization Act, which authorizes appropriations for military activities for the Department of Defense. The measure passed 89-8.

There have been a couple of close votes during his absence, including a Senate vote 49-47 on Sept. 25 to approve the confirmation of William J. Emanuel of California to be a member of the National Labor Relations Board.

Cochran cast votes during early September and August.

Contact Geoff Pender at 601-961-7266 or gpender@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter.

Washington Bureau reporter Deborah Berry contributed to this report.