Akaka breaks 2 ribs in tumble at residence

U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka is recovering after breaking two ribs Monday night when he slipped and fell at his home in Alexandria, Va., his deputy communications director, Jesse Broder Van Dyke, said yesterday.

"He is doing fine and is expected back in the office next week. Thankfully he’s okay," Broder Van Dyke said in an email.

Broder Van Dyke said Akaka, 86, "received medical attention for the broken ribs," but declined to give out any other information about the senator’s injury.

The said the injury is to Akaka’s right side and that he missed votes on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The injury also prevented Akaka, chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, from overseeing a hearing yesterday, Broder Van Dyke said.

However, Akaka did issue a statement yesterday that he was dismayed the U.S. military used the code name "Geronimo" for Osama bin Laden in the raid that killed the al-Qaida leader.

Akaka said in March that he will not seek another term next year. Former Congressman Ed Case announced April 10 that he will seek the seat.