On Friday, an 81-year-old Republican congresswoman demonstrated resilience after a tumble on the marble stairs outside the House chamber. Rep. Virginia Foxx of North Carolina tripped while descending the staircase between the Capitol’s second and third floors following the House’s opening meeting of the year.
Eyewitnesses reported visible injuries, with ABC journalist John Parkinson noting: “Lots of blood but officer tells me she’s okay as press is cleared from area. She is conscious/talking.” NewsNation correspondent Tom Dempsey added, “She is sitting on one of the steps now and holding paper towels against her face. Staff helping her out.”
Rep. Virginia Foxx slipped and fell as she was walking down a marble staircase outside the House chamber this afternoon. Spox for the 81-yo says she suffered several cuts but was looked over by medical personnel and the attending physician and that "everything seems to be okay." pic.twitter.com/Jebe6AIDES
— Kenny Beck (@kennybeckWXII) January 3, 2025
Foxx suffered cuts to her leg and nose, with her staff initially using tissues to control the bleeding before medical responders arrived to provide aid. Later, Foxx’s office released a statement reassuring the public. It read: “Rep. Foxx slipped while walking down the marble staircase outside the House chamber after walking up to talk to her family in the gallery. After being helped to her feet, and looked over by medical personnel, she proceeded on her own to the Attending Physician’s office to get treated for a few individual cuts. Everything seems to be okay.”
Demonstrating her trademark grit, Foxx took to X (formerly Twitter) to address the incident humorously: “I’m a mountain woman, and we’re tougher than a $2 steak. Thank you to everyone for your prayers – just a few small cuts and I’m doing just fine.”
Thank you to everyone for your prayers – just a few small cuts and I’m doing just fine.
— Virginia Foxx (@virginiafoxx) January 3, 2025
I’m a mountain woman, and we’re tougher than a $2 steak.
Foxx has represented North Carolina’s fifth district since 2005 and has held significant roles, including chairing the House Committee on Education and Labor. Despite her fall, she appears undeterred, embodying her reputation as a tenacious leader.
Her accident is the latest in a series of health-related incidents involving senior lawmakers. Former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell recently fell during a GOP luncheon, requiring treatment for a facial injury and a sprained wrist. McConnell also suffered a concussion earlier this year and has exhibited concerning public episodes of freezing mid-speech. Similarly, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, 84, broke her hip while traveling to Luxembourg for the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge. Despite her injury and emergency surgery, Pelosi returned to the House floor yesterday, using assistance from two aides.
Foxx’s fall may have caused a scare, but her unshakable optimism and humor remind us all that she’s not just tough—she’s mountain tough.
“MAGA loyalist”.
— Virginia Foxx (@virginiafoxx) January 4, 2025
Love the title. https://t.co/AemyAFRI05
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