Democrat remains unconscious for 11 days after heart attack: report

• New Jersey Democrat Rep. Donald Payne suffered a heart attack on April 6
• He has been receiving treatment at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center 
• Since his cardiac event, Payne has been unconscious and he remains intubated 

A New Jersey Democrat has been in a coma for 11 days after suffering a heart attack and he has yet to regain consciousness.

Rep. Donald Payne, D-N.J., suffered a heart attack on April 6 and since then he has been in a coma intubated at the Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, according to the New Jersey Globe.

Payne, 65, has struggled with health issues in the past such as diabetes and liver problems that have resulted in his needing regular dialysis treatment.

‘Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. suffered a cardiac episode based on complications from his diabetes last week,’ his office said in a statement.

‘Today, he is in stable condition at a local hospital and continues to be under doctor’s care.’

Rep. Donald Payne, D-N.J., has reportedly been in a coma since suffering a heart attack on April 6, and he has yet to regain consciousness

The five-term Democrat has been receiving treatment at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center

Previously, his office released as statement indicating the Democrat was recovering from the heart attack.

‘Currently, he is recovering in the hospital as doctors conduct routine exams to monitor and observe his improvement,’ the April 9 statement said.

‘The Congressman’s prognosis is good and he is expected to make a full recovery,’ the statement continued.’

However, new details indicate that his office’s prognosis that he is getting better is overstated, as he has yet to awake after suffering the heart attack 11 days ago.

It is unclear when he will return to work in Washington.

Payne’s office did not immediately return a request for comment.

‘My heart is with my friend, Congressman Donald Payne, and his family following the cardiac episode he experienced this past weekend,’ Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J., said in a statement following Payne’s hospitalization.

‘Donald is a fighter and I’m encouraged that his prognosis is good and he is receiving the medical care he needs.’

Payne is a five-term Democrat who was first elected in 2012 after the passing of his father Donald Payne Sr.

The older Payne held the seat his son now holds from 1989 until his death in 2012.

Despite being in a coma, Payne’s office said ‘he is in stable condition at a local hospital and continues to be under doctor’s care’

Payne’s absence comes at a time when the margin between the Republicans and Democrats in the House is already razor thin.

Currently, there are 218 Republicans and 213 democrats with four seats vacant, according to the House Clerk’s Office.

And the planned departure of Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., from the House in the coming week will further shrink the margin of votes separating the two parties.

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