Senator Daniel Inouye Fighting Respiratory Complications

Ten days after being admitted to the hospital for fainting, it is increasingly unclear when Senator Daniel Inouye may be released from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

A statement issued this evening from Peter Boylan, Inouye’s deputy chief of staff, explained that Inouye was “fighting respiratory complications as work is being done to stabilize his supplemental oxygen requirements. At this time, there is no time table for his release.”

Inouye had been using oxygen supplements for some time before being admitted to Walter Reed. The Hawaii senator had previously suffered a fall in November that required several stitches to his head.

Last week, the senator was reappointed to his powerful post as chairman of the Appropriations Committee. That appointment is set to be confirmed by the full Senate in January.

Boylan thanked the public for their support of Inouye, stating “His family and loved ones are overwhelmed by the outpouring of affection and good wishes for his recovery. We ask that the people of Hawaii and the nation keep the Senator in their thoughts and prayers.”