Byrd Returns to Senate

[tekisui]

Source: KGET.com/AP

WASHINGTON (AP) - Robert Byrd, the longest serving senator in history, has returned to the chamber after being absent for weeks due to illness.

The 91-year-old West Virginia Democrat, in a wheelchair, cast his first vote since May on an amendment to a key defense policy bill.

He was hospitalized May 15 for an infection. His stint in the hospital was extended when he developed a more severe infection, but he was recently released.

Byrd voted to extend production of F-22 fighter planes.

http://www.kget.com/news/political/story/Byrd-returns-to-Senate/4Ykm4SCV9UWJgPKtqT13ag.cspx

[backscatter712]

1. Now we've got 59 for health care reform.

There's still the problem with Ted Kennedy - nobody knows what his condition is at this point. He could simply be in the bouts of chemotherapy hell, and might recover, or he could be on the final stages of his cancer and weeks from death.

Who knows :shrug:

[timeforpeace]

2. Thought I read about him criticizing the health care bill? No?

[backscatter712]

3. Dunno - he may have to be worked on.

We'll have to push Sanders' movement to pressure Democrats to vote for cloture on this one, even if they'd vote no on the final bill. No more Democrats joining GOP filibusters.

But having 59 Democrats is marginally easier than having 58...

At the same time, I suspect that if Ted Kennedy could get up at all, he'd have himself flown to DC, plugged into his IVs and chemo drips the whole way, so he could cast his vote for health care from his stretcher.

[timeforpeace]

4. He also defended the coal producers, natch, being the WV senator and all.