Sen. Luján welcomed back to work with standing ovation following stroke

published 3 March 2022

Can't remember the last time Capitol Hill made you cry in a good way? Try this.

On Thursday, New Mexico's Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D) returned to work for the first time since suffering a stroke at the end of January — and his Senate colleagues issued him quite the welcome back, per The Independent.

A video of the moment showed lawmakers attending a Commerce Committee meeting noticing Luján as he entered the room during opening remarks. Quickly, the standing and clapping began, while Luján made his way toward his seat, writes the Independent.

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"It's an absolute honor to be back," Luján told the committee. "To every one of you that sent me notes, that sent videos, and all the prayers: it worked, and it's good to be back — I'll tell you, I missed y'all".

"Well, we love you Ben Ray," committee chair Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) responded, "and we're glad you're here with us today."

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Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.