Thurmond Collapses, Is Hospitalized

Sen. Strom Thurmond, the 98-year-old Republican who is the oldest member of Congress, was hospitalized Tuesday after he collapsed at his desk on the Senate floor. But he revived quickly, and Senate leaders said they expected him back at work in a day or two.

Thurmond was taken to Walter Reed Army Medical Center after complaining of feeling weak and lightheaded.

The episode threw the Senate into a brief frenzy, underscoring lawmakers’ concern about the fragile state of Thurmond’s health. The Senate recessed and the public galleries were cleared while medical personnel treated Thurmond.

Thurmond, who is from South Carolina, was first elected to the Senate in 1956. Of the current U.S. population of 281 million, 65% were born after that date. Thurmond has said he would not run for reelection in 2002.

He has been hospitalized and had bouts of dizziness before. Earlier this year, some of his colleagues were worried about the effect on Thurmond of a late-night debate on Bush’s tax cut. But Tuesday’s episode was apparently the first time Thurmond’s health failed him while in the Senate chamber.

The episode came after Thurmond cast his vote in a roll call on a defense bill. He complained to colleagues of feeling weak, and slumped at his desk. Aides helped lay Thurmond on the floor and elevated his feet. He was examined by the Capitol physician, as well as by Sen. Bill Frist (R-Tenn.), who is a doctor.

Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.) said Thurmond’s vital signs were “very strong.”