Republican congressman Walter Jones in hospice care after breaking hip

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox

Get our free Inside Washington email

Please enter a valid email address

Please enter a valid email address

SIGN UP

I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

A congressman who served on Capitol Hill for nearly twenty years has entered hospice care following a recent hospitalisation.

Walter Jones, a Republican who represented North Carolina, suffered a broken hip at his home on 14 January.

The following day, the 75-year-old politician underwent surgery at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, his office said.

Mr Jones’ office released a statement on Saturday, announcing his “health has declined after sustaining a broken hip last week. He is now in hospice care.

“The family asks for your prayers, and for their privacy to be respected during this difficult time.”

North Carolina GOP chairman Robin Hayes released a statement following news of Mr Jones’ health condition.

“The news about Walter Jones entering hospice is extremely sad for the entire Republican family,” the statement read.

“We pray for comfort and peace for him and his family.”

Mr Jones has been battling illness in the past few months. In December 2018, he was granted a leave of absence from Congress after missing a number of votes.

He served on the Committee on Armed Services, and is a member of several other caucuses.

Mr Jones was just recently re-elected to the House of Representatives in November after running unopposed.

The North Carolina Republican is the son of Walter B Jones, Sr, a Democrat who also served in Congress representing the same state from 1996 to 1992.

Following his father’s retirement, Mr Jones ran for his seat as a Democrat in 1992. He lost the election and switched parties prior to the 1994 election, which he won.

Mr Jones served in Congress since 1995.