Sen. Johnson released from hospital

WASHINGTON, May 1 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., has been released from a Washington hospital after four months of treatment for a brain hemorrhage.

Johnson, 60, returned to his Fairfax County, Va., home on Thursday and is slated for outpatient physical and speech therapy at two Washington facilities five days a week during his recovery, The Washington Post reported Tuesday. Johnson spokeswoman Julianne Fisher said physicians are not yet certain when the senator will be able to return to work.

However, Fisher said plans have been made for Johnson, who is trying to regain strength on the right side of his body, to use a motorized scooter to navigate Capitol Hill when he returns to his duties.

She said he receives regular briefings from his staff and keeps up to date reading four newspapers every day.

"As I continue with my therapy, I also get more and more work from the office," Johnson said in a statement. "The doctors tell me to pace myself and prepare for the long road, but I am determined to get back in the saddle."