Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-Paterson) has been discharged from the hospital, his office announced this evening, bringing to an end a 24-day hospitalization that appeared quite serious at times.
“Today, Congressman Pascrell was discharged from St. Joseph’s [University Medical Center in Paterson],” said Pascrell’s chief of staff, Ben Rich. “He is grateful to the doctors and nurses who have provided him outstanding care and he will continue with rehab as part of his recovery.”
The 87-year-old Pascrell first checked into the hospital on July 14 with a fever, though his office said he remained in good spirits at the time. After initially being on the road to recovery from a respiratory infection, he suffered a setback the weekend of July 20 that necessitated breathing assistance, forcing the congressman to remain in the hospital for several weeks longer.
The illness made Pascrell miss one week of votes in Congress; the House has been on its August recess since July 25, not to return until September.
Pascrell is running for re-election to a 15th term in the House this year, and he’ll face Republican Billy Prempeh for the third straight time in the 9th congressional district. Pascrell won their 2022 contest 55%-44% and their 2020 contest 66%-32% (in an earlier, bluer version of the district).
If Pascrell wins, he’ll become the oldest member of the House anywhere in the country, thanks to fellow 87-year-old Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-California)’s retirement; his prospective 16th term would end just under a month before his 90th birthday.