PENNSYLVANIA, USA — Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman has checked himself into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for treatment of clinical depression, according to a statement from his chief of staff, Adam Jentleson.
The statement reads in full:
"Last night, Senator John Fetterman checked himself into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to receive treatment for clinical depression. While John has experienced depression off and on throughout his life, it only became severe in recent weeks.
On Monday, John was evaluated by Dr. Brian P. Monahan, the Attending Physician of the United States Congress. Yesterday, Dr. Monahan recommended inpatient care at Walter Reed. John agreed, and he is receiving treatment on a voluntary basis.
After examining John, the doctors at Walter Reed told us that John is getting the care he needs, and will soon be back to himself.”
Fetterman was evaluated on Monday by the attending physician of Congress, Dr. Brian P. Monahan, who recommended inpatient care at Walter Reed, Jentleson said.
“John agreed, and he is receiving treatment on a voluntary basis,” Jentleson said. “After examining John, the doctors at Walter Reed told us that John is getting the care he needs, and will soon be back to himself.”
Fetterman, 53, is in his first weeks as a U.S. senator after winning the seat held by now-retired Republican Pat Toomey in a hard-fought contest against GOP nominee Dr. Mehmet Oz.
Fetterman overcame a stroke days before last May's primary election and spent the last five months on the campaign trail recovering from the stroke.
Last week, Fetterman stayed two days in George Washington University, checking himself in after becoming lightheaded. Fetterman’s office has said tests found no evidence of a new stroke or a seizure.
He continues to suffer the aftereffects of the stroke, in particular auditory processing disorder, which can render someone unable to speak fluidly and quickly process spoken conversation into meaning.
The stroke nearly killed him, he has said.
Fetterman underwent surgery to implant a pacemaker with a defibrillator to manage two heart conditions, atrial fibrillation and cardiomyopathy, and spent much of the summer recovering and off the campaign trail.
Despite taking time away from the Senate and continuing to recover from the stroke, Franklin & Marshall College political science professor Dr. Stephen Medvic doesn’t expect it to impact Fetterman’s ability to serve.
“Unless this extends over a very long period of time, I think this, again, another example of when a senator steps away to deal with whatever health issues they’re dealing with. And that is not uncommon," said Dr. Medvic.
His wife, Gisele Fetterman, asked for privacy for their family via Twitter: