WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D- California, brushed aside hypothetical situations Thursday regarding a potential shift in the Senate balance if Sen. Tim Johnson, D-South Dakota, is not able to continue his term.

"If you don't mind, my colleague, my former colleague Mr. Johnson is, hopefully we're going to get some good news about his recovery and that is a hypothetical that I really don't, will not address," Pelosi told reporters when asked about the possibility of a GOP takeover in the Senate.

Democrats currently hold the Senate majority by a 51 to 49 seat margin. If Johnson had to resign, South Dakota's GOP governor could appoint a Republican replacement to serve the next two years. With Vice President Dick Cheney's tie breaking vote, control of the Senate would then swing back to Republicans. Pelosi also wished the South Dakota Senator a "speedy recovery."

"I want to extend my personal warm wishes and prayers to Barbara Johnson and the Johnson family for speedy recovery for our former colleague in the House, Tim Johnson," Pelosi said.