Bush's mother-in-law released from hospital

Dan Bartlett, a spokesman for Bush, said the 81-year-old Welch fainted the night before because of heat and exhaustion. She was at a holiday party at the governor's mansion that Bush hosted for members of the press who had covered his presidential campaign.

Doctors kept her at Brackenridge Hospital overnight to run tests and as a precautionary measure because of her age, Bartlett said.

Texas first lady Laura Bush escorted her mother back to the governor's mansion.

Bartlett said Welch will remain with the Bush family through Christmas.

Bartlett added that Welch was not the only person to faint because of the heat in the mansion during the party. A reporter for The New York Times fainted in front of Bush, who helped her onto a chair.