updated 10:15 p.m.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, 74, was hospitalized early Friday morning, according to his spokesman.
“Senator Reid was not feeling well and as a precaution decided to go to the hospital. Tests have been conducted and everything is normal. He is alert, resting and feeling better,” Reid spokesman Adam Jentleson said in the statement.
Reid discussed upcoming legislation with Senate leaders over the phone Friday morning, a Senate Democratic aide told NBC News’ Kasie Hunt.
“Senator Reid called me this morning, he sounded good, and we look forward to his speedy recovery,” Illinois Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin said Friday on the Senate floor.
By Friday evening he was back home. “Senator Reid has been released from the hospital and is back at home with his wife, Landra,” said a statement from a spokesman. “The doctors diagnosed him as exhausted, not anything more serious, and have cleared him to go back to work… He appreciates the kind words and thoughts sent by so many, thanks the doctors at George Washington University Hospital for the excellent care he received, and wishes everyone a Happy Holidays.”
It has indeed been an exhausting legislative session for the upper chamber. In the past two weeks, the Senate has worked two overnight sessions in an intense effort to complete the 2013 agenda.The Senate is voting on presidential nominations ahead of the winter recess, after voting late Thursday to approve a defense-spending bill.
Erin Delmore