Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., absent from Congress for a month, is being treated for a mood disorder and is not in rehabilitation for alcohol or drug abuse, according to a statement from his physician released by the Illinois Democrat's office."The congressman is receiving intensive medical treatment at a residential treatment facility for a mood disorder," according to the statement released Wednesday night. "He is responding positively to treatment and is expected to make a full recovery. In addition, the rumor about him being treated for alcohol or substance abuse is not true."
The physician's name and that of the treatment facility were being withheld to protect Jackson's privacy, according to the statement.
The secrecy surrounding Jackson's condition has caused consternation among fellow Democrats, with some demanding he be more forthcoming. Jackson, 47, regarded in the past as a rising star in the party due in part to his prominent lineage, is also facing an ethics investigation over the search for a successor to Barack Obama when he gave up his U.S. Senate seat from Illinois and became president.
[h=4]More information[/h]Earlier Wednesday, House Minority Whip Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland added his voice to a group of Democratic lawmakers calling for Jackson to provide details of the ailments. Hoyer, the second-ranking House Democrat, told reporters Jackson "would be well advised to give his constituents as much information" as possible about the medical condition and treatment that has kept him from Washington.In a July 5 statement, Jackson's office said the son of the civil rights leader needed "extended inpatient treatment" for a medical condition that was "more serious" than previously thought.
"Recently, we have been made aware that he has grappled with certain physical and emotional ailments privately for a long period of time," according to that earlier statement. Jackson's office provided no further details then about the lawmaker's condition except to say he was "undergoing further evaluation and treatment at an inpatient medical facility."
[h=4]Father responds[/h]A June 25 statement from Jackson's office said the lawmaker began a medical leave June 10 because he was suffering from exhaustion.The congressman's father, prior to the disclosure about his son's mood disorder, told reporters it was inappropriate to ask questions about his son during the annual Rainbow PUSH Coalition business luncheon in Chicago on Wednesday.
Jackson is in his ninth term as a House member and survived a primary challenge in March from former Rep. Debbie Halvorson.
He is under investigation by the House ethics committee, which is reviewing whether Jackson improperly lobbied in 2008 for appointment to a vacant U.S. Senate seat by then-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Jackson testified as a defense witness at Blagojevich's political-corruption trial, denied raising money for Blagojevich and said he refused the governor's demand for a $25,000 campaign contribution.
The physician's name and that of the treatment facility were being withheld to protect Jackson's privacy, according to the statement.
The secrecy surrounding Jackson's condition has caused consternation among fellow Democrats, with some demanding he be more forthcoming. Jackson, 47, regarded in the past as a rising star in the party due in part to his prominent lineage, is also facing an ethics investigation over the search for a successor to Barack Obama when he gave up his U.S. Senate seat from Illinois and became president.
[h=4]More information[/h]Earlier Wednesday, House Minority Whip Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland added his voice to a group of Democratic lawmakers calling for Jackson to provide details of the ailments. Hoyer, the second-ranking House Democrat, told reporters Jackson "would be well advised to give his constituents as much information" as possible about the medical condition and treatment that has kept him from Washington.In a July 5 statement, Jackson's office said the son of the civil rights leader needed "extended inpatient treatment" for a medical condition that was "more serious" than previously thought.
"Recently, we have been made aware that he has grappled with certain physical and emotional ailments privately for a long period of time," according to that earlier statement. Jackson's office provided no further details then about the lawmaker's condition except to say he was "undergoing further evaluation and treatment at an inpatient medical facility."
[h=4]Father responds[/h]A June 25 statement from Jackson's office said the lawmaker began a medical leave June 10 because he was suffering from exhaustion.The congressman's father, prior to the disclosure about his son's mood disorder, told reporters it was inappropriate to ask questions about his son during the annual Rainbow PUSH Coalition business luncheon in Chicago on Wednesday.
Jackson is in his ninth term as a House member and survived a primary challenge in March from former Rep. Debbie Halvorson.
He is under investigation by the House ethics committee, which is reviewing whether Jackson improperly lobbied in 2008 for appointment to a vacant U.S. Senate seat by then-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Jackson testified as a defense witness at Blagojevich's political-corruption trial, denied raising money for Blagojevich and said he refused the governor's demand for a $25,000 campaign contribution.