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US Senator in Critical Condition After Surgery, Could Shift Power
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?r=279&c=745284&l=1009&ctl=15527EB:A6F02AD83191E16002903C16C2BB7AA69574F7DCC14957C0 If Democrat Tim
Johnson is unable to complete his term, balance of power in US Senate
could shift back to Republicans





Senator Tim Johnson (File) A Democratic member of the U.S. Senate is
in critical condition in a Washington hospital after emergency
surgery.

Hospital officials have not released details about the surgery or the
nature of Senator Tim Johnson's illness, but news reports quote
medical sources who say he had brain surgery.

The Democratic senator from South Dakota was taken to George
Washington University Hospital Wednesday night after suffering
stroke-like symptoms. His spokeswoman said he had not suffered a
stroke or a heart attack.

If Johnson is unable to complete his term, the balance of power in the
U.S. Senate could shift back to the Republicans, just weeks after
Democrats narrowly won control after the November general elections.

Democrats now have a 51-49 majority in the Senate. But if Johnson is
unable to serve, South Dakota's Republican governor would appoint a
replacement until elections in 2008.

If the Senate is split 50-50, Republican Vice President Dick Cheney
casts the tie-breaking vote.

Johnson became disoriented Wednesday during a conference call with
reporters. He returned to his office, but still was unwell, and the
Capitol Hill physician urged that he be admitted to a hospital for
tests. Some information for this report was provided by AP.


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