74-year-old Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., had to be rushed to the hospital while working out, his office confirmed on Wednesday.
“Leader Schumer was at the Senate gym this morning and got lightheaded. Out of an abundance of caution, he went to the hospital to be treated for dehydration and is now back at work in the Capitol,” a spokesperson for Schumer said in a statement.
Schumer’s hospitalization came as the greater Washington, D.C., area was in the midst of a heat wave, with temperatures reaching the mid-90s.
“He wants to remind everyone to drink some water and stay out of the heat,” his office also said.
Prior to his hospitalization, NBC News reporter Frank Thorp V noted that the elderly Schumer had just attended a press conference in the U.S. Capitol but did not take any questions.
Earlier on Wednesday, Schumer issued a statement on X regarding Zohran Mamdani, a socialist who was victorious late on Tuesday in the Democratic Party’s New York City mayoral primary and, according to many experts, represents a threat to established party leaders like Schumer.
I have known @ZohranKMamdani since we worked together to provide debt relief for thousands of beleaguered taxi drivers & fought to stop a fracked gas plant in Astoria. He ran an impressive campaign that connected with New Yorkers about affordability, fairness, & opportunity.
— Chuck Schumer (@chuckschumer) June 25, 2025
“I have known [Mamdani] since we worked together to provide debt relief for thousands of beleaguered taxi drivers & fought to stop a fracked gas plant in Astoria. He ran an impressive campaign that connected with New Yorkers about affordability, fairness, & opportunity,” Schumer said. “I spoke with [Mamdani] this morning and am looking forward to getting together soon.”
Many progressive Democrats have been outspoken against Schumer after he caved to support a Republican-led government funding bill in March.
As for the D.C.-area heat wave that sent Schumer to the hospital, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a bulletin warning that a heat advisory was in effect for Wednesday until 9 p.m. for portions of D.C. and the surrounding region. Another heat advisory has been issued for Thursday from the late morning until the evening.
“Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors,” NWS said.
“Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.”
Schumer isn’t the only senior Democratic leader who has made headlines for experiencing heat-related issues.
In May 2019, then-House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., nearly passed out during a press conference, with his office saying he was dehydrated and that the room was warm:
House Judiciary Chairman Rep. Jerry Nadler appeared to nearly pass out while Mayor de Blasio was speaking. A spokesman says he's okay, but Nadler has been taken to the hospital to be checked out. More: https://t.co/ID2gmDE4aG pic.twitter.com/xnyNk5guhD
— Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) May 24, 2019