Katie Britt recovering at home after ‘sudden onset of numbness’ in face, condition not life-threatening

Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) announced Monday night that she is receiving outpatient care after experiencing a “sudden onset of numbness” in her face and is expected to need “several weeks” of recovery. 

Doctors believe that the numbness was likely the result of swelling of a facial nerve that was caused by a post-viral infection, Britt said in a statement. She was admitted to Baptist Medical Center South in Montgomery, Ala., and was released, saying that her condition is not considered life-threatening. 

“A specialist from [the University of Alabama at Birmingham] has subsequently evaluated me on an outpatient basis and concurred with the prognosis and course of treatment,” Britt said in the statement. “My condition is not life-threatening, and recovery could take several weeks. 

“I am grateful for the medical professionals providing excellent care, and my family and I are deeply grateful for your prayers,” she added. 

The news came only days after the Senate broke for its monthlong August recess, with lawmakers not slated to return to Washington until after Labor Day. 

Britt, 41, won her first term in office last year and has largely kept a low profile during her first seven months in the upper chamber. However, she was recently added to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-Ky.) leadership team.

The junior Alabama senator also sits on the Senate Appropriations Committee, which is set for a busy September as it looks to help avoid a government shutdown and fund the government for fiscal 2024.