Clarke on Medical Leave, But Refuses To Say Why
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
WASHINGTON — Rep. Yvette Clarke, Democrat of Brooklyn, is taking a medical leave that will keep her out of Congress for six weeks — but won’t say why.
Ms. Clarke, 42, a first-year lawmaker, notified House leaders last week that her absence, beginning July 23, would continue through this week, when Congress leaves for its annual August recess.
Aides to the congresswoman said yesterday that she will be back in Congress when it reconvenes in early September.
In a statement issued Friday evening, Ms. Clarke’s office said the medical leave is a “necessary proactive measure,” but did not elaborate, and aides declined to do so again yesterday.
The statement, titled “Rep. Clarke absent, but not without a voice,” lists how she would have voted on 60 different measures had she been able to vote in Congress last week.
A spokesman for Speaker Pelosi did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
Ms. Clarke, a former New York City Council member, was elected to represent the 11th congressional district in the heart of Brooklyn after a nasty, racially divisive primary.
