NJ Democrat remains hospitalized following cardiac episode last week 

Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (D-N.J.) remains hospitalized and in stable condition after suffering from a cardiac episode last week, his office said Wednesday. 

“Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. suffered a cardiac episode based on complications from his diabetes last week. Today, he is in stable condition at a local hospital and continues to be under doctor’s care,” his office wrote in a statement. “While we hope for a full recovery, we ask everyone to keep him in your prayers.”

Payne’s office did not indicate how long he will be in the hospital.  

The update comes more than a week after his office said he has a “good prognosis” and is expected to make a full recovery as he underwent routine exams to monitor his health.  

“He was admitted to a local hospital for treatment,” his team said earlier this month. “Currently, he is recovering in the hospital as doctors conduct routine exams to monitor and observe his improvement.”

Payne, 65, has served in Congress since 2013 representing New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District, which covers parts of Essex, Hudson and Union counties.

He is running unopposed in the state’s Democratic primary on June 4.  

Payne’s hospitalization comes as Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) hopes to move a foreign aid package through the lower chamber in the coming days. His absence and Rep. Mike Gallagher’s (R-Wis.) departure from Congress Friday will leave House Republicans with 217 members and Democrats with 212.