WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Bob Casey, the senior U.S. senator from Pennsylvania, on Thursday announced he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and will undergo surgery later this year.
The 62-year-old Democrat who has served in the Senate since 2007 made the announcement on Twitter, saying the diagnosis came last month and that he is expected to make a full recovery.
"While this news came as a shock, I can report that I have an excellent prognosis, as well as the benefit of exceptional medical care and the unwavering support of my family," Casey tweeted. He added that he anticipated "minimal disruption" of his work in Congress.
Casey's Democratic Party controls 51 of 100 Senate seats, with Republicans holding 49. He would face re-election in 2024 if he decides to seek a fourth term.
While he has a record of being a reliable Democratic vote, in the past he has expressed reservations with some federal initiatives for battling climate change. Pennsylvania is the third-largest coal-producing state, behind Wyoming and West Virginia.
Casey also sided with former Republican President Donald Trump on some of his trade-restriction initiatives. And while he has held anti-abortion views, he called the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade's protection of abortion rights last year a "dangerous ruling" that "will put women’s lives at risk."