Illness Keeps Rep. Carson Away From Capitol

[Freddie Stubbs]

Congresswoman Fell Ill In Early June

POSTED: 11:19 am EST July 13, 2004
UPDATED: 11:21 am EST July 13, 2004

INDIANAPOLIS -- An illness has kept U.S. Rep. Julia Carson away from the Capitol in recent weeks, causing her to miss dozens of votes since the beginning of June.

Carson, who underwent double bypass heart surgery soon after her first election to Congress in 1996, said Monday that she has been under "intense doctor's care" after feeling ill in early June.

Carson, a Democrat who turned 66 last week, said that she saw the doctor after "feeling bad, no energy or anything." She said her doctor changed her medication and put her on a diet and exercise routine, causing her to stop her weekly commute to Washington and remain in Indianapolis.

"And it did, embarrassingly to me, take longer than I had anticipated," she said Monday. "I regret very much that I missed votes -- very important votes."

more: http://www.theindychannel.com/politics/3524522/detail.html

[Myrina]

1. Yeah, yikes ...

"...One of the votes Carson missed was an amendment to the Patriot Act aimed at making it more difficult for authorities to demand information on book buyers and library users.

The amendment failed in a 210-210 vote last week after Republican leaders, who opposed the measure, persuaded several GOP members to change their votes...."

[democraticinsurgent]

2. a shame...

...however, the pukes held the voting open until they got enough votes. i read they got at least 10 votes changed. so they'd have just held out a bit longer and offset julia's vote, had she been there.

[PVnRT]

3. Doesn't matter if she was sick

The GOP will bitch about how she misses votes, so how can you rely on her? Vote for Rich White Guy 99843727 from Speedway on Election Day!

[Ouabache]

4. It matters that Julia is a Dem with seniority and a LIBERAL voice

from the heartland. Only a fool would not vote for her.