New Mexico Democratic Senator recovering from stroke

Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) is recovering from a stroke followed by surgery last week, his chief of staff announced Tuesday.

Luján, 49, experienced fatigue and dizziness early Thursday morning, and he checked himself into a hospital in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Chief of Staff Carols Sanchez said. Luján was then transferred to a hospital in Albuquerque, where he was further evaluated.

Doctors found that the New Mexico junior senator had suffered a stroke in his cerebellum, which affected his balance. Luján "subsequently underwent decompressive surgery to eas swelling," Sanchez said.

Luján is currently recovering at the Albuquerque hospital and is expected to recover fully.

"Senator Luján looks forward to getting back to work for the people of New Mexico," the chief of staff stated. "At this time, he and his family would appreciate their privacy, and ask for your continued prayers and well wishes."

Luján has been a proponent of immigration reform. In July, he said, "I've advocated for every tool to be considered and used for the passage of the DREAM Act, the Dream and Promise Act, the Farm Worker Modernization program, for as much of a comprehensive immigration reform package as we can," Just the News reported.

The Senate is currently split 50-50 with Vice President Kamala Harris serving as the tiebreaking vote. Without Luján, Democrats will need at least one Republican vote to pass legislation that otherwise would have gone through the Senate with the help of Harris' vote.