Rep. Jonathan Barnett, R-Siloam Springs, will get to the just-opened legislative session “as soon as possible,” but is staying home for now on his doctor’s advice, he said Tuesday.
“I’ve got a lot to be thankful for,” Barnett said Tuesday afternoon, saying his condition could easily have been worse.
Blood clots formed in a vein in his leg, Barnett said. From there, clots traveled through his bloodstream and into his lungs. While this led to breathing difficulty and treatment at Mercy Medical Center in Rogers, the clots did not go to his brain. Such a development could have caused permanent damage or even been fatal, Barnett said.
Barnett will follow his doctor’s instructions and remain home while his body breaks down the clots and medication prevents new clots from forming, he said. He would not speculate on how long his recovery would take, he said.
Barnett, who is a general contractor, serves as chairman of the House Public Transportation Committee and is a member of the powerful Joint Budget Committee. Those committee assignments were made Monday by House Speaker Rep. Davy Carter, R-Cabot. Barnett is a former chairman of the Arkansas Highway Commission.
Barnett said he was “overwhelmed” by calls and messages of support and is trying to respond to them all, but is concentrating on his recovery.
“I really don’t think it will have an effect on the session, and at this point we’re not thinking about that,” said Rep. Duncan Baird, R-Lowell. “At this point we’re just hoping for his speedy recovery.” Baird has the most seniority of any member of Benton County’s House delegation.
A spokesman for House staff confirmed Tuesday afternoon that Barnett’s illness has had no effect on his committee assignments, chairmanship or standing within the House.