Rep. Ron Barber is currently in Tucson, recovering from a minor surgery that will keep him from attending votes this week in Washington.

From Barber's office:

TUCSON — The office of U.S. Rep. Ron Barber today announced that Barber will remain in Tucson during votes in Washington this week after undergoing minor surgery on Monday.

“Congressman Barber was released from the hospital earlier today after a successful surgery,” Barber’s doctor, Audrey Erman, M.D., said. “He is expected to make a full recovery.”

The surgery yesterday successfully removed a cancerous tumor from Barber's tongue. He learned of the tumor on Nov. 13.

Barber is at home in Tucson, recovering. He is feeling good and looking forward to getting back to work in Washington, D.C. next week.

Barber defeated Republican challenger Martha McSally earlier this month in a long, drawn-out race to represent Congressional District 2 that was decided by just more than 2,400 votes.