WASHINGTON: Former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been hospitalized after she “sustained an injury” during an official engagement in Luxembourg, according to a spokesman.
Pelosi, 84, was in Europe with a bipartisan congressional delegation to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. Her spokesman, Ian Krager, said in a statement that she is “currently receiving excellent treatment from doctors and medical professionals” and is unable to attend the remainder of events.
He did not describe the nature of her injury or give any additional details, but a person familiar with the incident said that Pelosi tripped and fell while at an event with the other members of Congress. The person requested anonymity to discuss the fall because they were not authorized to speak about it publicly.
Krager said that Pelosi “looks forward to returning home to the US soon.”
Among the members on the trip was Rep Michael McCaul of Texas who posted on social media that he was “praying for a speedy recovery,” for Pelosi. The two lawmakers were captured holding hands in a group photo Friday at the US Embassy in Luxembourg.
“I’m disappointed Speaker Emerita Pelosi won’t be able to join the rest of our delegation’s events this weekend as I know how much she looked forward to honouring our veterans,” McCaul wrote on X. “But she is strong, and I am confident she will be back on her feet in no time.”
The former leader’s fall comes two years after her husband Paul was attacked by a man with a hammer at their San Francisco home. The man, who was sentenced in October to 30 years in federal prison, broke into their home looking for Pelosi.
Pelosi, who was first elected in 1987 and served as speaker twice stepped down from her leadership post two years ago but remained in Congress and was re-elected to represent her San Francisco district in November.
She has remained active in the two years since she left the top job, working with Democrats in private and in public and attending official events. Last summer, she was instrumental in her party’s behind-the-scenes push to urge President Joe Biden not to run to be leader again.
Earlier this week, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnel who is 82 tripped and fell in the Senate spraining his wrist and cutting his face. McConnell is stepping down from his leadership post at the end of the year.
