South Dakota Sen. Johnson upgraded to fair

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Doctors at George Washington University Hospital in Washington Tuesday upgraded Sen. Tim Johnson's condition to fair.

Johnson, D-S.D., was hospitalized four weeks ago for a brain hemorrhage and underwent emergency surgery.

A statement from the senator's office said Johnson remains in the intensive care unit but is making progress.

"He is breathing independently and no longer requires the assistance of a ventilator," said Dr. Vivek Deshmukh, neurosurgeon at the George Washington University Hospital.

Deshmukh said though a tracheotomy tube remained in Johnson's throat to protect his airway, he likely will be moved to rehabilitation later this week.

Johnson suffered from arteriovenous malformation, or tangled brain arteries.

Johnson's health is vital to Democratic control of the Senate. Should Johnson be unable to return to his Senate seat, South Dakota's Republican governor could appoint a GOP successor, eliminating the Democrat's slim 51-49 majority and effectively returning control of the Senate to the Republicans because of Vice President Dick Cheney's tie-breaking vote.