Rep. Rob Bishop hospitalized after suffering a “mild” stroke

WASHINGTON– Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, is in the hospital after suffering a “mild” stroke, the congressman told KSL NewsRadio’s Live Mic with Lee Lonsberry Wednesday. 

Bishop phoned into the program from George Washington University Hospital; he said he continues to recover from the stroke he experienced Monday night. 

“The only symptoms I had were a loss of balance and dizziness, and my right side is difficult to maneuver right now,” said Bishop. “But it is getting better.” 

At first, Bishop said he did not know he was having a stroke.

“I didn’t know what was going on. I thought I could just sleep it off,” he recounted. “That’s not something you can just sleep off.”

But the retiring representative said he doesn’t believe the stroke will inflict any long-lasting effects.

“Eventually the strength in my right leg will return. I’m going to have some therapy and probably come back in a matter of weeks or months,” said Bishop. “I’ll be back in full shape.”  

The stroke also prevented Bishop from participating in a congressional vote on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2021, which is the big defense spending bill for the coming fiscal year. The NDAA passed the House with bipartisan support, despite veto threats from President Trump. 

“It is [the NDAA] extremely important to the defense of this country, as well as the furtherment of Hill Air Force Base and the state of Utah,” said Bishop. 

The outgoing congressman said he expects to be released from the hospital soon and will take the next few weeks to recover. 

Senator Mitt Romney and state senator Todd Weiler expressed their hopes for Bishop’s speedy recovery on Twitter. 

Sending best wishes to my friend Rob Bishop. Ann and I wish him a speedy and full recovery.

— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) December 9, 2020

Best wishes to Rep. Rob Bishop.

— Todd Weiler (@gopTODD) December 9, 2020