2015-01-06T212502Z_1100262851_GM1EB170CYT01_RTRMADP_3_USA-CONGRESS-REID
A recovering U.S. Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., meets with members of his leadership team -- Sens. Patty Murray, D-Wash., Richard Durbin, D-Ill., and Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., at Reid's home in Washington on Jan. 6, 2015. Reid broke ribs and facial bones when a piece of exercise equipment malfunctioned while he was working out on New Year's Day. Courtesy of the office of Nevada Senator Harry Reid

WASHINGTON -- Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid released a video Tuesday showing him with a bandaged eye and large bruise on his face. Reid was injured last week when a piece of workout equipment broke while he was using it.

“Most people know I fought for a couple of years. After every one of those fights I never looked like I do now,” Reid, 75, said, referring to his time as an amateur boxer. “However, I didn’t get this black eye by sparring with Manny [Pacquiao], by challenging Floyd Mayweather. I didn’t go bull riding. I wasn’t riding a motorcycle. I was exercising in my new home.”

Reid, who ceded the reins of majority leader to Sen. Mitch McConnell on Tuesday, wasn’t present in Congress for the start of the session and the changing of the guard. Under doctor’s orders, he remained away from the Capitol in Washington so he could rest while his three injured ribs and concussion heal.

“He has been diagnosed with broken bones in his face and three broken ribs, as well as a concussion,” spokesman Adam Jentleson said in a statement. “Despite his injuries, he has been working every day, holding meetings with fellow senators and staff. Sen. Reid has spoken with President Obama multiple times since his injury and will continue to keep a busy schedule in the coming days.”

In his video, Reid emphasized that he was meeting with fellow Democratic leaders and that he continues to work. He spoke of his sadness over missing the first day of the new congressional session.

“I’ve been doing new Congresses for 33 years and I really had some homesickness, for lack of a better description,” Reid said. “We’re going to continue to fight for good things for this country. We understand the rich are getting richer. The poor are getting poorer. The middle class is being squeezed literally out of existence. And we’re going to do everything we can to fulfill the expectations the middle class has and we’re going to fight for them.”

His absence wasn’t unnoticed in the Capitol. “I know he will be back in fighting form soon enough,” McConnell said as he took over control of the Senate.

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