Democratic Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid missed the first day of the 114th Congress Tuesday. But he had a good reason -- the Nevada lawmaker worked from home on doctor's orders after suffering injuries during an exercise accident on New Year's Day. Reid released a YouTube video appearing with a bruised jaw and a bandage across his right eye.
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"As most people know, I fought for a couple of years. After any one of those fights, I never looked like I do now," he said in the video. He added that he didn't get a black eye from bull riding nor driving on a motorcycle. Instead, he suffered broken bones in his face and ribs while exercising last week. His doctors have ordered him to rest.
"I had a presentation all made to start the new Congress. I've been doing new Congresses for something like, this is my 33rd year, and I really have some homesickness, for lack of a better description," he said.
Earlier on Tuesday, Reid posted an image of a meeting with Democratic Sens. Dick Durbin of Illinois, Chuck Schumer of New York and Patty Murray of Washington, who Reid says are all "speaking with one voice" and will continue to fight for progress in the country.
Kentucky Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell replaced Reid as the new Senate majority leader.