BY Scott Stearns – STATE DEPARTMENT — U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is working from home following her release from a New York hospital after doctors discovered a blood clot in her head. With Clinton expected to return to work next week, Massachusetts Senator John Kerry is preparing for confirmation hearings to become the next secretary of state.
“She is talking to staff. She is taking paper at home. She sounds terrific. She is looking forward to coming back to work next week,” Nuland said.
Clinton spent three nights at New York-Presbyterian Hospital receiving blood thinners to help dissolve a blood clot behind her right ear in a vein between her brain and skull. Doctors say the clot did not result in a stroke or neurological damage, and they are confident she will make a full recovery.
Doctors have asked that Clinton not travel internationally for a few weeks. So, the most-traveled secretary of state in U.S. history may be done traveling as the top U.S. diplomat. She is stepping down from the post, and President Barack Obama has already nominated Massachusetts Senator John Kerry to replace her.
Nuland says Kerry is being briefed ahead of hearings before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
“We have a well-practiced procedure for preparing new secretaries for confirmation hearings. The senator was in the building yesterday. He had a number of meetings with senior staff. He received a huge pile of briefing materials,” Nuland said.
Nuland says Kerry is expected back at the State Department on a regular basis beginning Friday.