Leahy Undergoes Surgery on Broken Hip

Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) underwent surgery Thursday after he broke his hip in a fall at his home, the AP reports.

“Any prolonged absence by Leahy would complicate majority Democrats’ already precarious efforts to push controversial legislation and nominations through the 50-50 Senate over Republican opposition.”

“That might include a compromise with holdout Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) — if they can reach one — on energy, health care and tax issues, a package that would be far smaller than the collection of social initiatives he killed in December.”