The Office of U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-9) released the following statement on Monday, July 6th:

“We are grateful to report that Congressman Pascrell underwent a successful heart procedure Sunday to correct arterial blockages.

“After returning to New Jersey from Washington last week, Congressman Pascrell went to St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson after experiencing indigestion and heartburn. During routine evaluations, doctors discovered blockages in arteries on Saturday which were bypassed in a surgical procedure at St. Joseph’s on Sunday. Rep. Pascrell’s doctors expect the congressman to make a complete recovery from his surgical procedure. Congressman Pascrell is feeling better and is eager to get back to work.

“Congressman Pascrell also tested negative for COVID-19 and encourages others to get tested if they are showing symptoms, as all Americans can receive covered testing courtesy of the Families First and CARES Acts passed by Congress. And Congressman Pascrell wants his experience to be a lesson that during this pandemic everyone should be attuned to their whole health and not be afraid to contact their physician for non-COVID symptoms of concern.”

Dr. Mark W. Connolly, Chairman, Department of Surgery at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center, who performed the procedure, gave the following statement:“On Sunday, Congressman Pascrell underwent a successful heart bypass procedure. He came into St. Joseph’s University Medical Center last week due to unexplained nausea and after a series of tests doctors at St. Joseph’s determined that the source of the trouble was blocked arteries. The procedure should allow the congressman to get back to his active lifestyle. While recovery varies from patient to patient, because of the congressman’s strength and normal heart function, I am confident that he will have a speedy recovery and be back serving the people of New Jersey within days.”