WASHINGTON, July 4 (Xinhua) -- U.S. House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer had been hospitalized and diagnosed with pneumococcal pneumonia, his office said Wednesday.

The 79-year-old Maryland Democrat was admitted to George Washington University Hospital on Tuesday, his office said in a statement.

"He is being treated with antibiotics and resting, and is expected to make a full recovery quickly," spokeswoman Katie Grant said. "He looks forward to being back at work very soon."

Hoyer was checked in to the hospital after an extensive weekending campaigning in states of Wisconsin and Illinois.?