Report: Rev. Jackson says ‘no timetable’ for son’s treatment, return

The Rev. Jesse Jackson on Saturday said there was no timetable for his son, Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., who is being treated for depression, to return to Congress.

Jackson spoke about his son’s condition briefly with reporters on Saturday, according to press reports.

“There is no timetable on his recovery,” he said. “We hope he will fully recover.”

Jackson senior added that “such a challenge is a game-changer and challenges all members of a given family,” reports said.

His son, Jackson Jr., has been absent from Capitol Hill since mid-June and a statement from his office released by the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota on Friday, said the lawmaker had been admitted to the healthcare center for “extensive inpatient evaluation for depression and gastrointestinal issues.”

Jackson, a nine-term House member has been on medical leave for over a month, and had provided few details about his condition previously. His office initially said he was being treated for a “mood disorder” and disputed reports that he was undergoing treatment for alcohol addiction.

His prolonged absence has led to debate among Democratic leaders over whether he should disclose more information about his condition to constituents

Jackson's family had remained largely silent throughout his medical leave.

On July 10, the Rev. Jackson had said it would be “inappropriate” for him to reveal the details of his son's condition at that time.

“I speak as a father,” he said to a reporter. “During this pain, as he comes out of his crisis, we will be with him. And we hope that he'll be fully restored to his health. Right now, he's going through a tremendous challenge.”

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