Senator Johnson Improving

South Dakota Senator Tim Johnson has had his condition upgraded from critical to fair. Truly remarkable progress and great news for him and his family.

Johnson is breathing independently after using a ventilator for several weeks, most recently only at night, his doctor, Vivek Deshmukh, said Tuesday.

The South Dakota Democrat, who underwent emergency surgery on Dec. 13, remains in intensive care at George Washington University Hospital, said his spokeswoman, Julianne Fisher.

"The senator continues to make progress," Fisher said. "The next step would be rehabilitation, and we hope that would happen within the week."

A tracheotomy tube remains in his neck to guard his airway, and the senator still has not spoken, Fisher said.

The senator is expected to leave intensive care but remain in the hospital when he begins the rehabilitation process. His office has said that his recovery is expected to take several months.

He has kind of been forgotten after the initial media frenzy, so it is good news to hear he is improving.

CNN coverage here.