Vice President Joseph R. Biden watches at left as Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., second from left, accompanied by Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., second form right, and Senate Majority whip Richard Durbin of Ill., right, walks the steps to the Senate door of the Capitol building on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)
Vice President Joe Biden watches at left as Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., second from left, accompanied by Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., second form right, and Senate Majority whip Richard Durbin of Ill., right, walks the steps to the Senate door of the Capitol building on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013. Kirk said he often visualized climbing the 45 steps of the U.S. Capitol as a source of inspiration during his months of grueling physical therapy after suffering a major stroke last year. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)
Members of Congress line the steps to the Senate door of the Capitol building on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013, as Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., second from right, accompanied by Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., right, and Vice President Joe Biden, waves as he walks the steps to mark his return to Congress. Kirk said he often visualized climbing the 45 steps of the U.S. Capitol as a source of inspiration during his months of grueling physical therapy after suffering a major stroke last year. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)
Sen. Mark Kirk practices walking with the help of a cane, a harness and a staff member at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago during intensive therapy for a stroke suffered nearly a year ago. The photo, taken from a video, was provided by Mr. Kirk’s office.
Sen. Mark Kirk practices walking with the help of a cane, a harness and a staff member at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago during intensive therapy for a stroke suffered nearly a year ago. The photo, taken from a video, was provided by Mr. Kirk’s office.
Sen. Mark Kirk
Sen. Mark Kirk, Illinois Republican, talks with staff at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago last month. After suffering a stroke in January, the lawmaker recovered at the rehabilitation center. He has been allowed to go home. (Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago via Associated Press)
Sen. Mark Kirk, Illinois Republican, talks with staff at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago last month. After suffering a stroke in January, the lawmaker recovered at the rehabilitation center. He has been allowed to go home. (Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago via Associated Press)
**FILE** Sen. Mark Kirk, Illinois Republican, talks to the media Dec. 16, 2010, on Capitol Hill. (Associated Press)
