Rep. Bobby Rush Taking Leave From Congress To Deal With Wife's Health Issues

By Chuck Sudo in News on Sep 24, 2013 3:50PM

Rep. Bobby Rush announced Monday he was taking a leave of absence from Congress to care for his wife, Carolyn, who is dealing with major surgery. Sun-Times Washington correspondent Lynn Sweet first reported the news after asking Rush’s office why the congressman missed two votes in the House on reducing food stamp funding and to defund the Affordable Care Act in the government spending bill.

Rush’s Communications Director Debra Johnson told The Hill the congressman was granted his leave Sept. 12. “He is grateful for the prayers, support and well wishes extended to him and his family on behalf of Mrs. Rush.”

Rush made headlines last year when he donned a hoodie on as a protest for the killing of Trayvon Martin in Florida and was promptly escorted from the House floor. He also called Sen. Mark Kirk’s proposal for mass arrests of the Gangster Disciples street gang as a means to reduce violent crime “an elitist white boy solution.”