Rand Paul's Injuries Could Complicate GOP's Agenda

It's not clear when senator can go back to work after 5 fractured ribs, lung contusions
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 6, 2017 1:21 AM CST
Rand Paul Has 5 Fractured Ribs, Lung Contusions
This photo provided by the Warren County Regional Jail shows Rene Boucher, who has been arrested and charged with assaulting and injuring US Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky.   (Warren County Regional Jail via AP)

Sen. Rand Paul has painful injuries, including five fractured ribs, after being assaulted at his Kentucky home Friday and it could be a while before he can go back to work, a spokesman says. Paul "has five rib fractures including three displaced fractures," adviser Doug Stafford said in a statement to the Bowling Green Daily News. "This type of injury is caused by high velocity severe force. It is not clear exactly how soon he will return to work, as the pain is considerable, as is the difficulty in getting around, including flying." Stafford said the senator is also suffering from lung contusions caused by the displaced fractures, and "this type of injury is also accompanied by severe pain that can last weeks to months."

Police say Paul has told them neighbor Rene Boucher tackled him from behind after coming onto his property in the community of Rivergreen, just east of Bowling Green. Boucher has been charged with fourth-degree assault and could spend up to a year in prison if found guilty. The 59-year-old doctor was released from jail Saturday night on $7,500 bond. No motive for the assault, which apparently blindsided Paul, has been disclosed. Politico reports that if the senator does end up being absent from Washington, DC, for a significant amount of time, it could complicate the legislative agenda of Senate Republicans, who have a slender majority of 52 votes. (More Rand Paul stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X