NJ Rep. Pascrell breathing on his own as doctors discuss hospital discharge, staff says

Rep. Bill Pascrell remains hospitalized but is no longer receiving breathing assistance, according to his office.

“Congressman Pascrell has been breathing on his own since last week and continues to improve every day,” Pascrell Chief of Staff Ben Rich said in a statement. “His doctors are very encouraged by his progress, have begun to discuss discharge plans, and continue to anticipate a full recovery.”

Background: The 87-year-old Democrat checked into St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson on July 14 with a fever. While Pascrell's staff initially said he was in “good spirits” and had told staff he was “actively looking for a beer,” his condition took a turn last week. Rich in a statement Thursday said that while recovering from a respiratory infection, the congressmember suffered a “setback” and was given “breathing assistance."

Pascrell is the oldest member of New Jersey’s congressional delegation and if reelected will become the oldest member of the House following the retirement of California Rep. Grace Napolitano. Pascrell was also hospitalized in 2020 for heart bypass surgery.

Pascrell in June easily defeated a primary challenge from Prospect Park Mayor Mohamed Khairullah based largely on disenchantment with his stance on Gaza. He faces Republican Billy Prempeh for a third time in November.

What's next: Rich’s statement indicated that Pascrell has no plans to drop his reelection bid.

“The congressman is relieved that this illness only led to him missing a few voting days,” Rich said. “And after winning a decisive primary victory, Congressman Pascrell is excited to finish the job alongside Kamala Harris in November in defense of American democracy and New Jersey values.”

Pascrell’s illness comes three months after 10th District Rep. Donald Payne died of a heart attack following a lengthy hospitalization.