WASHINGTON — Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., checked himself into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Wednesday night to receive treatment for clinical depression, his office said Thursday, adding that his longtime struggle with that issue became “severe” in recent weeks.
The latest news adds to the ongoing concerns around a senator who only took office in January, but who has faced questions about his health for months after a near-fatal stroke in May.
“While John has experienced depression off and on throughout his life, it only became severe in recent weeks,” his chief of staff, Adam Jentleson, said in a statement Thursday. “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.”
Jentleson added that, “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’s treatment comes after he was hospitalized Feb. 8 for what his staff said was lightheadedness during a Democratic retreat. Fetterman returned to the Senate this week to vote Monday, Tuesday and early Wednesday, but by Wednesday afternoon he was absent during further voting.
While Fetterman’s aides said the senator has long battled depression, the condition is also common after strokes.
“After what he’s been through in the past year, there’s probably no one who wanted to talk about his own health less than John. I’m so proud of him for asking for help and getting the care he needs,” tweeted Fetterman’s wife, Gisele. “This is a difficult time for our family, so please respect our privacy. For us, the kids come first. Take care of yourselves. Hold your loved ones close, you are not alone.”
Before checking himself in on Wednesday night, Fetterman, 53, voted, attended committee hearings where he asked questions, and met with constituents, including a group of kids from a Pennsylvania YMCA.
But a senior aide who served on both the campaign and now in the Senate office said on Thursday that Fetterman hadn’t been himself for the past few weeks.
“I think it’s tough being away from home and continuing to recover in the public eye,” said the aide, who asked for anonymity to disclose personal information. “He’s getting the help he needs, which is super important and good so he can continue to serve the people.”
What is clinical depression?
Clinical depression is a psychiatric mood disorder that is both common and serious.
What differentiates depression from just feeling sad is that the disorder impairs people’s ability to complete everyday tasks. Depression affects everyone differently, but common symptoms include loss of interest, increased fatigue, feeling worthless, difficulty concentrating, and thoughts of self harm.
About 10% of American adults experienced symptoms of depression for a period of at least two weeks in 2020, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Women were more likely to report a depressive episode. The rate for people who were older than 50 was about 5%.
Depression is common after stroke, with some studies suggesting a third of patients in rehab experience symptoms, said Thomas Watanabe, the clinical director of the Drucker Brain Injury Center at MossRehab, which is part of Jefferson Health in Philadelphia.
“Treatment is very effective, and depression treatment won’t affect recovery,” he said.
A number of Democratic senators and public figures quickly praised Fetterman for disclosing his condition, saying many public officials have battled depression, but few would talk about it publicly.
“Happy to hear @SenFettermanPA is getting the help he needs and deserves,” tweeted Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. “Millions of Americans, like John, struggle with depression each day. I am looking forward to seeing him return to the Senate soon. Sending love and support to John, Gisele, and their family.”
Fetterman’s start in the Senate
If Fetterman is absent for long, though, it could complicate the Democratic agenda in the Senate, where Democrats hold a 51-49 edge, especially since his fellow Pennsylvania Democrat, Sen. Bob Casey, is also slated to miss time after having scheduled surgery for prostate cancer on Tuesday.
If Fetterman had to leave the Senate, Gov. Josh Shapiro, another Democrat, would appoint a replacement.
But a special election could follow as soon as this November, potentially altering the political power in the tightly balanced Senate. In a special election, the parties would nominate candidates, without a primary election.
The election to fill the seat would be held this November in conjunction with this year’s municipal elections, unless the vacancy occurs within 90 days of that vote. In that case, the special election would be held in November 2024, at the same time when Casey is scheduled to be on the ballot.
Fetterman’s health concerns have shadowed what he had hoped would be a quiet and smooth start to his Senate career after winning a nationally watched election in November, giving Democrats rare control of both of Pennsylvania’s Senate seats. After entering the chamber as a political celebrity, loved by many on the left for his brash attitude, Twitter trolling, and hoodies and shorts, Fetterman had hoped to blend into the Senate.
He wore a suit, tie and glasses, and largely embraced the tradition of being a freshman who watched and stayed relatively quiet. He had picked rare instances on which to speak out and at times seemed awed to be part of a chamber he has been working to join since his first run for the Senate in 2016.
Still recovering from a stroke and, according to his aides, struggling with processing auditory inputs, he has largely avoided interviews since joining the chamber, leaving few opportunities for reporters to get a direct feel for his transition to such a high-profile role. He uses an iPad with closed captioning to help him converse with colleagues and follow debate on the Senate floor.
‘I know John is strong’
In an email sent to supporters Thursday, Gisele Fetterman said her family “is in for some difficult days ahead.”
”I’m never one to cover up my emotions, and today is no exception. I’m sad, and worried, as any wife and mother would be,” she wrote. ”But at the end of the day, I know John is strong. He’s tough and he’s human. He is still the fun, loving, caring, compassionate man I fell in love with so many years ago.”
Fetterman’s health has been under intense scrutiny since a May stroke that kept him off the campaign trail for several months. His aides initially downplayed that incident, and Republicans have questioned whether he has been fully forthcoming about his recovery.
Some Republicans mocked him then, and his GOP rival last year, Mehmet Oz, challenged Fetterman to release more of his health records after the stroke. Conservative commentators have argued that Fetterman isn’t healthy enough to be a senator.
Fetterman has lost a significant amount of weight since his stroke, shedding the hulking image that has long been part of his rough-hewn profile.
When Fetterman checked into the hospital last week, aides said doctors had ruled out a second stroke or a seizure. There was no mention of potential concerns around depression.
Casey is also away from the Senate for an undefined period of time after having planned surgery for prostate cancer on Tuesday. His aides said the surgery went well and no further treatment is expected, but did not put a timeline on his return to work.
Both men have time before there is further work in the Senate. The last Senate vote this week happened earlier Thursday, and the Senate is on recess next week.
Pennsylvania has faced a Senate vacancy before: In April 1991, Republican Sen. John Heinz and six other people died in a midair collision over Lower Merion. Democrat Harris Wofford won the special election to replace him that November.
