Rep. Bill Jenkin returns to work just three weeks after heart attack

Representative Bill Jenkin (R-Prosser) recently suffered a heart attack, went through quadruple bypass surgery and then returned to work just three weeks later. He spoke to The Jason Rantz Show about his quick recovery, which we’re hoping is doctor approved.

“It was quite a scare. You learn quite a bit when you do stupid things and you have to learn from them. My stupid thing was that I was a cigar smoker but I’m not anymore,” he said.

“Yes, the doctor did say that it was OK, that the rehab was going quite well. You get a little tired, I take my naps, I’m not seeing as many constituents, and not going to the evening things that we have going on around the Capitol,” Jenkin said. “But it’s well worth it to get the votes in because that’s what it’s all about here.”

Jenkin is the deputy whip for his party in the House, and during the absence his duties in legislative committees were covered by other GOP lawmakers. He moved to Prosser in 2007, where he opened Prosser Vineyards and Winery with his wife.

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He says he was motivated to return in order to represent his constituents, which he found especially important considering this year’s changed political landscape.

“We’re voted on by the constituents to be here representing them, and certainly I can’t represent them from my bed at home,” he said. “There is a different dynamic this year. The numbers are 57 to 41, and unfortunately for my caucus we’re the 41, so you need to have the numbers and that’s part of the reason for being back here.”

Jenkin still opposed to raising tobacco sale age from 18 to 21

Despite partially attributing his own heart attack to smoking, Jenkin remains opposed to the recently passed House Bill 1074, which raises the age of sale for all tobacco and vapor products from 18 to 21.

“To me, if there’s an 18-year-old that’s able to go away to war and lose his life representing us, I really think that’s a personal choice type of thing,” he said. “Unless we want to define an adult as 21, I couldn’t see the reality of voting yes on that just because of my own personal circumstance.”

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