Norcross faces "extended" hospitalization in blow to House Dems

• That is rough news for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), who hopes to use Republicans' paper-thin majority to his advantage.
• Jeffries is already down two votes due to the deaths of Reps. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Sylvester Turner (D-Texas), whose seats won't be filled until the fall.

What happened: Norcross, 66, was hospitalized last weekend during a trip to North Carolina after what his office described as "an emergency medical event likely related to his gallbladder."

• He was transferred the following day to Cooper University Health Care in New Jersey and placed in intensive care, with his staff saying his condition was "stable."
• "His condition is improving, and he is on his way to making a full recovery," Norcross' office said in a statement on April 8.

What they're saying: On Tuesday, Cooper University chief physician executive Eric Kupersmith said in a statement released by Norcross' office that the congressman was diagnosed with a gallbladder infection.

• The infection, called cholangitis, progressed to sepsis, Kupersmith said, adding that his medical team "was able to remove the gallstone and is treating the infection and its complications."

• Norcross is "responding well to treatment, but faces an extended recovery that could require physical rehabilitation," Kupersmith continued, saying Norcross "remains in intensive care."

Zoom out: Norcross' hospitalization comes as attendance is already a concern for both parties in Congress.

• A growing cohort of House members is eyeing potential runs for higher office, which could make some of those lawmakers less inclined to return to Capitol Hill to vote.
• Jeffries said last week he is not worried, however, telling Axios that House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) "has done a tremendous job."
• "We've had complete attendance, absent a handful of medical emergencies," he said.