Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) was hospitalized Wednesday after feeling unwell while at the Capitol, potentially leaving Senate Democrats down one vote during a crucial vote-a-rama on the rescissions package. According to a statement from her staff, the 67-year-old senator was evaluated by the Capitol physician and then transported to George Washington University Hospital for additional testing. She is expected to remain under observation overnight but anticipates returning to work soon.

Smith’s absence could complicate Democratic efforts to advance the rescissions measure, especially given the Senate’s narrow voting margins. Without her participation, Democrats may fall short of a tie, meaning Vice President JD Vance is unlikely to cast a deciding vote as he did on Tuesday night when he broke a procedural deadlock to move the package forward.

The timing of the hospitalization is particularly notable, as Smith announced earlier this year that she would not seek reelection in 2026. Her departure will open up a key Senate seat in Minnesota and adds to the growing list of Democrats planning to step away from Congress.

Meanwhile, in Minnesota, Republican lawmakers are criticizing Democratic Gov. Tim Walz over revelations that his office spent \$430,000 in taxpayer funds for legal consulting related to his testimony at a congressional hearing on sanctuary city policies. Invoices show the governor hired the global law firm K\&L Gates, which charged an average hourly rate of \$516 from April through June.

Republican state Reps. Jim Nash and Harry Niska called the spending excessive and politically motivated, accusing Walz of misusing public funds for personal ambitions. Walz’s office deflected the criticism, labeling the hearing as Republican “grandstanding.”