Sen. Tina Smith Hospitalized During Key Senate Vote

Senator Tina Smith, a 67-year-old Democrat from Minnesota, was hospitalized overnight at George Washington University Hospital after falling ill while working at the Capitol on Wednesday. Her staff said the hospitalization was a precautionary measure based on advice from the Capitol physician, and she is expected to return to work soon. Smith's absence comes during a close Senate vote on a $9 billion rescissions bill, which proposes significant cuts to public media and foreign aid funding—measures she opposes. With Smith absent, Republicans temporarily have a greater advantage in the vote, reducing the likelihood that Vice President JD Vance will need to break a tie. Earlier this year, Smith announced she would not seek reelection in 2026. Smith is the second Democratic senator recently hospitalized, following Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s brief hospital stay in June.