Baltimore-native Rep. Elijah Cummings will be watching his buddy Donald Trump’s State of the Union address tonight from the sidelines as he continues recovering from two surgeries to treat an infection in his left knee.
“I am deeply grateful for the outpouring of support and encouragement I have received from countless well-wishers during my recovery,” Cummings said in a statement issued Monday.
Cummings’ office revealed on Jan. 5 that he had been hospitalized since Dec. 29 due to a bacterial infection in his knee. At the time, his office said he undergone a “minor procedure,” though yesterday’s update noted he actually had two.
“I am getting stronger every day and am extremely eager to return to Capitol Hill upon receipt of my doctors’ consent,” Cummings said.
The infection was caused by a ruptured cyst and gout. He’s now undergoing physical therapy and is being treated with antibiotics.
The news of Cummings’ hospitalization coincided with his wife’s decision to suspend her campaign for governor that same day. Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, a D.C.-based policy consultant, said she was dropping out of the race for “personal considerations.” She announced her candidacy in October, promising to “take on the Trump Administration and Washington Republicans when their proposals would hurt Marylanders and the state’s economy.”
Cummings just had heart surgery last year, and was out of work from the Capitol for three months as he was recovering.
