Washington ? Sen. Tim Johnson has been transferred out of intensive care and has said some words, his doctor said Thursday, nearly a month after the South Dakota Democrat suffered a brain hemorrhage.

An MRI on Wednesday showed the speech centers in the senator’s brain were spared injury in the initial hemorrhage Dec. 13, said Johnson’s neurosurgeon, Dr. Vivek Deshmukh.

“This is confirmed by the fact that he is following commands and has started to say words,” Deshmukh said in a statement released by Johnson’s office.

Johnson will be participating in “aggressive therapy” in the inpatient rehabilitation unit at George Washington University Hospital, the statement said.

The senator has responded correctly when asked his name, Fisher said, though there is not much sound coming out of his mouth because of a tracheotomy tube still in his throat.

“It is clear that he understands that people are introducing themselves, he is looking at name badges to try and associate it with the person, he is saying words and responding to commands,” she said. “It’s clear the electricity is on and the system is humming.”

Johnson’s sudden illness raised questions about the Democrats’ one-vote majority in the upcoming Senate session. South Dakota’s Republican governor, Mike Rounds, would appoint a replacement if Johnson’s seat were vacated by his death or resignation.