2006年VOA标准英语-Lawmaker's Illness Could Affect US Senate Contr

By Deborah Tate
Capitol Hill
14 December 2006

A U.S. Senate Democrat¹ remains² hospitalized after undergoing brain surgery in Washington. With Democrats³ poised⁴ to take control of the Senate with a razor-thin majority next month, Senator Tim Johnson's illness could potentially affect the balance of power. VOA's Deborah Tate reports from Capitol Hill.

US Senator Tim Johnson (file photo)

A Capitol Hill physician, Admiral John Eisold, says Senator Johnson will not need additional surgery, after undergoing a brain operation early Thursday for bleeding caused by a medical condition related to his blood vessels⁵.

Eisold says Johnson continues to have what he called "an uncomplicated post-operative course," and has been responsive to both words and touch.

Outgoing Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee visited Johnson in the hospital Thursday, as did incoming Majority Leader Harry⁶ Reid of Nevada. "We are all praying for a full recovery. We are confident that will be the case," he said.

At the White House, spokesman Tony Snow commented on Johnson's situation. "Everybody is concerned. Our thoughts and prayers are with him, his family, his staff and his colleagues," he said.

The 59-year-old Johnson was taken to a Washington hospital Wednesday, after having difficulty speaking to reporters in a conference call on Capitol Hill.

His illness caught lawmakers' by surprise, and raised questions about control of the Senate if Johnson is unable to serve out the rest of his term.

Democrats are to retake control of the Senate on January 4th, after winning a one-vote majority in November 7th midterm elections. If Johnson resigns or dies, South Dakota's Republican Governor Michael Rounds would name a successor, presumably a Republican, to complete the remaining two years of Johnson's term.

That would leave the Senate evenly divided 50-50, with Vice⁷ President Dick Cheney casting tie-breaking votes -- essentially⁸ handing control to Republicans.

But Johnson could not be forcibly replaced if he survives and is incapacitated.

Ironically, another Senator from South Dakota, Republican Karl Mundt, suffered a stroke in 1969 while in office. He continued to serve until his term ended in January 1973, although he was not able to attend Senate sessions and vote.

More recently, Senator Jay Rockefeller, a West Virginia Democrat, missed three months of votes after undergoing back surgery earlier this year.

1 democrat   

n.民主主义者，民主人士；民主党党员

参考例句：

• The Democrat and the Public criticized each other.民主党人和共和党人互相攻击。
• About two years later,he was defeated by Democrat Jimmy Carter.大约两年后，他被民主党人杰米卡特击败。

2 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

3 democrats   

n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
• The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 poised   

a.摆好姿势不动的

参考例句：

• The hawk poised in mid-air ready to swoop. 老鹰在半空中盘旋，准备俯冲。
• Tina was tense, her hand poised over the telephone. 蒂娜心情紧张，手悬在电话机上。

5 vessels   

n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人

参考例句：

• The river is navigable by vessels of up to 90 tons. 90 吨以下的船只可以从这条河通过。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• All modern vessels of any size are fitted with radar installations. 所有现代化船只都有雷达装置。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

6 harry   

vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼

参考例句：

• Today,people feel more hurried and harried.今天，人们感到更加忙碌和苦恼。
• Obama harried business by Healthcare Reform plan.奥巴马用医改掠夺了商界。

7 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

8 essentially   

adv.本质上，实质上，基本上

参考例句：

• Really great men are essentially modest.真正的伟人大都很谦虚。
• She is an essentially selfish person.她本质上是个自私自利的人。