WASHINGTON – Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., underwent surgery Friday to remove his left kidney.
Blunt, 52, was resting at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. His surgeon, Dr. Joseph Costa, said the operation was a success.
A routine examination led to the discovery of a cyst on Blunt's kidney, his office said.
"Congressman Blunt is in good spirits and is looking forward to getting back to work soon," Blunt spokeswoman Burson Taylor said. "He expects to be in southwest Missouri over the August district work period and to resume his usual work schedule within two weeks."
Among House votes Blunt was expected to miss Friday was on the bill to create the new homeland security agency. Members were leaving for summer recess after Friday's session.
A three-term congressman, Blunt is a member of the GOP leadership team and probably will become Republican whip, the third top member, in the next Congress. He would replace Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Texas, who expects to succeed the retiring majority leader, Dick Armey, also of Texas.
Blunt is DeLay's chief deputy.
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