Chris Murphy Steps Away From Senate Duties After Stroke

Sen. Chris Murphy is expected to miss several weeks of Senate work as he begins rehabilitation following a stroke, according to an announcement from his office. The Connecticut Democrat was discharged from Johns Hopkins Hospital on Friday, but his return date has not been shared publicly. Murphy said he plans to focus on recovery at a rehabilitation center. “The doctors are very encouraged by the progress I’ve made so far,” he wrote in a statement after leaving the hospital. He added that taking recovery seriously was important to getting back to work as quickly as possible. Dr. Jose Suarez, who leads Johns Hopkins’ neurocritical care division, said Murphy had made “tremendous progress” and was expected to make a full recovery. The office did not provide further details about his condition or specify when he might resume his Senate duties. According to the account, Murphy first noticed numbness in his arm while attending his son’s hockey game on Oct. 31. He called 911 and was taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors diagnosed a “small” brain bleed. He was later treated at Johns Hopkins. The health setback comes as Democrats prepare to take control of the Senate, while Republicans consider priorities for their remaining weeks in the chamber. Murphy, 53, has also been mentioned as a possible contender for the 2028 presidential race, but the statement focused on his recovery and gave no indication of his political plans.