Sen. Johnson's Health Is Improving, Reid Says

Sen. Majority Leader-elect Harry Reid, D-Nev., is seen leaving the George Washington University Hospital in Washington on Friday, Dec. 15, 2006 after visiting Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D. Johnson was experiencing post-surgery swelling in his brain Friday, but his doctors said his recovery was still encouraging. They said he would remain hospitalized until the swelling went down. (AP Photo/Alex Lorman) (Alex Lorman - AP)

Sen. Tim Johnson has shown significant improvement after brain surgery, and doctors say "everything is going to be just fine," Senate Democratic leader Harry M. Reid (Nev.) said yesterday.

Asked whether the South Dakota Democrat, 59, was conscious, Reid said in a television interview: "I'm not a doctor. I have heard and talked to his family. You should talk to them. It's not appropriate to talk to me about that."

Reid, who has visited Johnson frequently after the surgery Wednesday following a brain hemorrhage, said, "he's doing very well. . . . His improvement has been significant."

Johnson has responded to voices, opened his eyes and moved his limbs.

Surgeons at the George Washington University Hospital have said Johnson was experiencing postoperative swelling in his brain, but they said that was normal.

"Doctors tell us everything is going to be just fine," Reid said on ABC's "This Week."

Johnson's spokesman, Noah Pinegar, said yesterday that the senator remained in critical condition. "The goal has been rest," Pinegar said. He said he could not answer whether Johnson is conscious or sedated.

Johnson has been diagnosed with arteriovenous malformation, a condition that causes arteries and veins to grow abnormally large, become tangled and sometimes burst. The condition often is present from birth.

South Dakota's Republican governor, Mike Rounds, would appoint a replacement if Johnson's seat were vacated by his death or resignation. A Republican appointee would create a 50-50 tie and effectively allow the GOP to retain Senate control because of Vice President Cheney's tie-breaking vote.

There is ample precedent for senators to continue holding office while incapacitated.