Sen. Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey diagnosed with cancer

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Democratic Sen. Frank Lautenberg, 86, has been diagnosed with lymphoma of the stomach and will undergo chemotherapy over the next few months, his office said Friday.

“We expect a full and complete recovery for Sen. Lautenberg,” said one of his doctors, James Holland, at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in New York City.

The five-term liberal New Jersey senator is not up for reelection until 2014. He serves on committees with oversight of federal spending and the environment.

Holland said Lautenberg will receive six to eight chemotherapy treatments administered about every three weeks. ”In between treatments, the senator is expected to be back at work in the Senate,” he added.

Lautenberg’s illness could further complicate Senate Democrats’ hopes of passing major legislation this year, including measures dealing with healthcare reform, financial industry regulation, climate change and job creation.
Democrats hold 57 seats in the Senate, and their caucus includes two independents; there are 41 Republicans.

While that is a sizable Democratic majority, a supermajority of 60 votes is needed to overcome Republican procedural hurdles that have slowed work on major bills.

-- Reuters