Sen. Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) is expected to return to the Senate in four to six weeks after suffering a stroke and undergoing brain surgery last week, CNBC reports.

That is, of course, barring any additional medical complications.

“I hate to be so personal, but Josh Hawley is one of the worst human beings, and a self-aggrandizing con artist. When Trump goes down I certainly hope this evil will be laid in the open for all to see, and be ashamed of.”

— Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), on Twitter.

Former President Donald Trump ripped Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), one of his staunchest supporters, telling Newsmax that the senator is a “RINO” for saying that pardoning the Capitol rioters would be “inappropriate.”

Said Trump: “Lindsey’s a nice guy, but he’s a RINO. Lindsey’s wrong… Lindsey Graham doesn’t know what the hell he’s talking about.”

Punchbowl News: “We have no idea how long Luján will be sidelined during his recovery. There’s no timetable for his return at this point. On two previous occasions where senators suffered strokes – former Sens. Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Tim Johnson (D-SD) – it took them months to return to the Capitol. And however long Luján remains absent, the Senate Democratic leadership is going to be in a jam.”

Playbook: “The discordant notes stem from a behind-the-scenes Republican Party tussle over strategy for the upcoming nomination, according to more than a half-dozen GOP officials on and off Capitol Hill. Republicans are divided between a desire to keep the nationwide focus on issues that resonate with swing voters they need to flip both chambers — like spiraling prices — and red-meat rhetoric that revs up their base.”

“Some are worried that going too hard at Biden’s pick — and especially using language like ‘affirmative action’ — will distract from pocketbook issues and potentially backfire. But others think Republicans would be missing a key opportunity if they hold back, pointing to a recent ABC poll showing that three-quarters of voters want Biden to look at ‘all possible nominees,’ while only 23% wanted him to consider only Black women.”

Punchbowl News: “The Senate is beginning to grapple with a new reality. With Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) in the hospital after a stroke, Democrats don’t have a functioning majority. They will be unable to move anything besides non-controversial bills and nominations. As we all know, there are very few of those these days.”

“The longer Luján is out, the more problematic his absence becomes. A lengthy recovery could impact President Joe Biden’s ability to confirm a new Supreme Court nominee. If Luján is sidelined for a long period of time, Biden may have to rethink who he nominates to the Supreme Court.”

The Hill: Lujan stroke jolts 50-50 Senate.

Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) suffered a stroke last week and underwent surgery but is “expected to make a full recovery,” the Washington Post reports.

There are indications that the Senate Democratic leadership did not know about Lujan’s health problems until today.

Lujan’s office declined to comment when asked by NBC News when they expect the senator could return to work.

In a 50-50 Senate, the health of every senator takes on added importance.

“Here’s what I’m looking for in a Supreme Court justice: Number one, I want a nominee who knows a law book from a J.Crew catalog. Number two, I want a nominee who’s not going to try to rewrite the Constitution every other Thursday to advance a woke agenda. Those are my criteria.”

— Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA), quoted by Politico.

Former Sen. Doug Jones (D-AL) will serve as a guide for President Biden’s Supreme Court nominee during the Senate confirmation process, the New York Times reports.

“Mr. Jones, who left the Senate in 2021 and was on a short list to serve as Mr. Biden’s attorney general, will be serving as a so-called Senate sherpa for Mr. Biden’s nominee… Sherpas have borrowed their nicknames from people who live in the Himalaya Mountains. They are known for their ability to guide travelers through hazardous terrain, including at high altitudes and in frigid conditions.”

When Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) was asked about the Build Back Better Act, he responded: “What Build Back Better bill? I don’t know what you guys are talking about.”

When asked if he’s had any talks on the matter since December, he added: “No, no, no, no. It’s dead.”

Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) “hauled in a massive $6.9 million in the final quarter, leaving him with more than $21.5 million on hand,” Politico reports.

“That’s just an insane war chest for someone facing only modest challengers for a reelection bid — but who is building a national network amid possible presidential aspirations.”

Asked if he regretted saying President Biden’s forthcoming pick of a Black woman to the Supreme Court would be an affirmative action choice, Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) told reporters: “I’ll let that interview stand.”

“Sen. Kyrsten Sinema had her best fundraising quarter since her election, bringing in nearly $1.6 million in the last three months of 2021 as she positioned herself as one of her party’s high-profile contrarians in the Senate,” Politico reports.

“But underneath that record number is a starker reality for the Arizona Democrat. Sinema is increasingly leaning on corporate PACs and big donations to fill her campaign coffers. The Democratic grassroots fundraising world has largely abandoned her.”

“Bernie Sanders is still encouraging liberal primary challengers to Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin. The rest of the Democratic caucus is ready to move on and try to keep hold of their fragile majority,” Politico reports.

“Mere days after their two centrists’ high-profile refusal to change chamber rules in order to pass election reform, Democrats say there’s no more time for infighting in a 50-50 Senate.”

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) told reporters that it’s “far beyond time” for a Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court, Politico reports.

“Sen. Joe Manchin’s reelection campaign raised nearly $300,000 from corporate political action committees and executives days after the conservative Democrat said he would oppose President Joe Biden’s $1.75 trillion social and climate spending package,” CNBC reports.

“Some of the executives who donated to his campaign also previously contributed to other Republican leaders’ political operations, including former President Donald Trump’s.”