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Why was Patrick Leahy hospitalized? Vermont Senator falls sick hours after presiding over Trump's 2nd impeachment

'This evening, Senator Leahy was in his Capitol office and was not feeling well,' his spokesperson David Carle said in a statement

Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy has been taken to “a local hospital for observation” after he was feeling unwell on Tuesday, January 26 night, according to his spokesperson. The incident happened, just hours after presiding over the opening of former President Donald Trump's second impeachment. “This evening, Senator Leahy was in his Capitol office and was not feeling well,” spokesperson David Carle said in a statement. “He was examined in the Capitol by the Attending Physician. Out of an abundance of caution, the Attending Physician recommended that he be taken to a local hospital for observation, where he is now, and where he is being evaluated.“

Senator Dick Durbin, the second-highest-ranking Senate Democrat, told CNN's Wolf Blitzer on Tuesday evening that Leahy could be back in the chamber Wednesday, January 27. "Pat Leahy's wife, Marcelle, is a nurse, and she's with him, and this was just an abundance of caution," Durbin said. "He was feeling uncomfortable, as you mentioned, so they wanted to give him a trip to the hospital so they can watch him for a little while. She says things are going well, so we have all got our fingers crossed he will be back tomorrow."

Another colleague, Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, wrote on Twitter: "Ive been notified of reports that Sen Leahy is under doc supervision I wish him good health My friend is a tough Vermonter. Barbara & I send our prayers + know he will be back to work as soon as he can"

Leahy is supposed to preside over former President Donald Trump’s second impeachment starting on February 9, 2021, as president pro tempore of the Senate. The president pro tempore is third in the line of succession to the presidency and Leahy has already held the position twice. Talking about Trump's impeachment in a statement, Leahy said, “The president pro tempore has historically presided over Senate impeachment trials of non-presidents.  When presiding over an impeachment trial, the president pro tempore takes an additional special oath to do impartial justice according to the Constitution and the laws.  It is an oath that I take extraordinarily seriously." He further said: “I consider holding the office of the president pro tempore and the responsibilities that come with it to be one of the highest honors and most serious responsibilities of my career.  When I preside over the impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump, I will not waver from my constitutional and sworn obligations to administer the trial with fairness, in accordance with the Constitution and the laws."