Reid out of hospital after breaking ribs, facial bones

Catalina Camia | USA TODAY

Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid was discharged from a Las Vegas hospital Friday, after sustaining some nasty injuries during his home exercise routine.

Kristen Orthman, Reid's deputy communications director, said Reid is on his way home to Henderson, Nev., after an overnight stay at University Medical Center in Las Vegas.

The Senate's top Democrat, 75, will return to Washington this weekend and is expected to be ready to do battle with Mitch McConnell and the Republican majority when the 114th Congress gets sworn in Tuesday.

"He spent the day with his wife, Landra, talking to fellow senators, friends and staff preparing for the Senate's return," Orthman said. "He sends his thanks to all those who sent him warm wishes and is ready to get back to work."

Reid broke several ribs and bones in his face when a piece of exercise equipment broke and he fell.

Adam Jentleson, the senator's communications director, told the Associated Press that the accident occurred when an elastic exercise band broke and hit Reid in the face, causing him to fall. As the senator fell, Jentleson said, Reid struck part of the equipment and broke several bones near his right eye. Reid then hit the floor and broke his ribs.

Jentleson said tests found no bleeding in his brain or other internal bleeding.

Reid's security detail first brought him to St. Rose Dominican Hospital in Henderson, a Las Vegas suburb, after the accident occurred New Year's Day. He was transferred to the University Medical Center in Las Vegas for further testing and was admitted "as a precaution," the senator's office said.

Eric Schultz, a White House spokesman, said President Obama telephoned Reid while vacationing in Hawaii to wish the senator a "full and speedy recovery."

"The president was glad to hear the leader is doing well, and will be back in Washington this weekend," Schultz said.

Reid has had several mishaps and hospital stays in recent years. He dislocated his shoulder while jogging in Washington in 2011, leaving him with a bump on the head and a black eye.

In 2012, the Democratic leader was involved in a multiple-car accident in Las Vegas, suffering rib and hip contusions. Reid had a brief stay in a Washington hospital in 2013 after experiencing exhaustion.

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