‘Tougher Than A $2 Steak’: GOP Rep. Virginia Foxx Injured After Fall, Critical Vote On First Day Of Congress

Republican North Carolina Rep. Virginia Foxx fell Friday at the Capitol after the crucial vote for speaker of the House of the 119th Congress, according to The News & Observer.

The 81-year-old slipped while walking down a marble staircase outside the House chamber, the outlet reported, citing a text message from spokesperson Alex Ives. Foxx was reportedly on her way to the House gallery to speak with her family when she slipped. The gallery overlooks the chamber, offering a spot for visitors to watch floor proceedings.

“After being helped to her feet, and looked over by medical personnel, she proceeded on her own to the Attending Physician’s office to get treated for a few individual cuts,” Ives told the outlet. “Everything seems to be okay.”

Reporters who allegedly witnessed the second-oldest GOP woman in the House fall noticed she had blood on her face and leg and was covering her nose, according to The News & Observer. (RELATED: Nancy Pelosi Reveals Major Surgery After Suffering Fall).

Photos circulating on X show Foxx on the staircase — her face covered with what appears to be tissues — surrounded by people tending to her.

Rep. Virginia Foxx slipped and fell as she was walking down a marble staircase outside the House chamber this afternoon. Spox for the 81-yo says she suffered several cuts but was looked over by medical personnel and the attending physician and that “everything seems to be okay.” pic.twitter.com/Jebe6AIDES

— Kenny Beck (@kennybeckWXII) January 3, 2025

The stairs were reportedly blocked off for some time in order for the blood to be cleaned up.

“Thank you to everyone for your prayers – just a few small cuts and I’m doing just fine,” Foxx wrote on X after her fall.

“I’m a mountain woman, and we’re tougher than a $2 steak,” she added.

Foxx has served as the representative from North Carolina’s 5th congressional district since 2005.

Foxx’s fall came after Mike Johnson won reelection as speaker of the House after the first ballot Friday. During the vote, six members were silent when their names were first called to cast their vote; three other members initially nominated another Republican to become speaker. Had the vote ended this way, Johnson would have been two votes shy of the 218 majority required to win the election.

Two Republican congressmen, Chip Roy of Texas and Paul Gosar of Arizona, initially held out on voting for Johnson, but then changed their votes before voting ended to give their Louisiana colleague the win.

Foxx was among those who voted for Johnson.