Burr recovering from hip replacement surgery, will miss votes

Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) is recovering from hip replacement surgery and will miss votes this week, his office said, as the Senate reconvenes on Capitol Hill after a monthlong recess.

“I’ll be closely monitoring votes during my absence and look forward to rejoining my colleagues in Congress next week,” Burr said in a statement.

The senator added that the procedure was successful and he’s “doing well” while recovering in his home state of North Carolina. 

Burr is the top Republican on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and is a key player in negotiations over FDA user fees, which lapse at the end of this month.

The Republican’s absence will mean one fewer lawmaker present for votes in a 50-50 upper chamber.

Burr is retiring after his Senate term, meaning a key seat is up for grabs in this year’s midtrms.

Rep. Ted Budd (R) and former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri Beasley (D) won their respective primaries to advance to the November election to replace Burr.

Updated 10:37 a.m.