Sep 4, 2002 2 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – Sen. Jesse Helms returned to Washington Tuesday, less than five months after undergoing heart surgery that forced him to miss much of the legislative year. While the 80-year-old Helms didn’t come to the Capitol, he will be back in his Dirksen Senate Office Building headquarters on Wednesday ready to conduct Senate business, spokesman Jimmy Broughton said.

“He looks great, he’s excited to be back and he’s looking forward to the next month or so,” he said.

Congress is scheduled to adjourn in about a month, although the legislative session usually extends beyond the scheduled adjournment date.

Helms, R-N.C., had surgery April 25 to replace a worn-out pig valve that was installed in his heart 10 years ago. The original pig valve was used to replace Helms’ mitral valve, which guards the opening between the upper and lower chambers of the heart.

Helms was hospitalized until June 10, when he was moved to an unidentified rehabilitation center in northern Virginia. On June 26, he moved to a rehab center in Raleigh, N.C.; he finally went home in July.

Under doctors’ orders, Helms will not immediately take on a full workload this week, Broughton said. Helms will skip Congress’ ceremonial session in New York City on Friday.

“He will have a lighter schedule, that’s for sure,” Broughton said. “He’ll sort of ease into things, ease back into a more normal schedule.”

Helms’ staffers will probably have a little party for the senator when he returns Wednesday, Broughton said.

Helms, who celebrates a birthday Oct. 18, is the third oldest senator, behind only 99-year-old Sen. Strom Thurmond of South Carolina and 84-year-old Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia.

Helms will have completed five 6-year terms in the Senate when he retires in January. Republican Elizabeth Dole and Democrat Erskine Bowles are the front-runners in the race to replace him.

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On the Net:

Sen. Jesse Helms: http://elms.senate.gov/