Murphy Discharged After Stroke, Plans Weeks of Rehabilitation

Sen. Chris Murphy was discharged from Johns Hopkins Hospital after a small hemorrhagic stroke and plans to spend several weeks in rehabilitation, leaving his return to Senate duties uncertain. The Connecticut Democrat has not announced when he will return to the Capitol, and his absence is expected to leave Democrats with one fewer senator available for votes during the postelection session.

Murphy said he experienced arm numbness while watching his son’s hockey game and called 911 after realizing something was wrong. He was transferred to Johns Hopkins for monitoring and treatment. Doctors identified bleeding in his thalamus, and Johns Hopkins physician Jose Suarez described his condition as a small hemorrhagic stroke.

In a statement, Murphy said he would spend several weeks at a rehabilitation center after leaving the hospital. He said doctors were encouraged by his progress. Suarez also expressed optimism about the recovery; a full recovery was described as the medical team’s expectation, not an outcome already established.

Murphy’s office first disclosed the stroke on November 1. His chief of staff, Allison Herwitt, said at the time that he had been taken to a local hospital...