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With Every Vote Needed To Pass Health Care Reform, Byrd Returns To The Senate
Roll Call reports that 91-year-old Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) has returned to work after a weeks-long illness. Byrd was hospitalized for about six weeks, leaving him unable to vote on any legislation. During his absence, and with Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) also suffering severe health problems, the Democrats' 60 vote majority was effectively reduced to 58. Now it's back up to 59. Sixty are required to overcome a filibuster--and will almost certainly be required to pass health care legislation in the Senate.
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Josh
Matt
Eric
Brian
Welcome back and we wish you the best Senator Byrd.
However, I think you should give some thought to retirement. I understand that you are doing the job you love, serving the people of West Virginia, however should you get sick again, you will not be doing that anymore- indeed the citizens of WV need full-time representation
Senator Kennedy, I feel the same applies to you regarding the people of MA
July 21, 2009 1:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
There is a passage in Obama's book, The Audacity of Hope of the two of them meeting, and rathe uncomfortably burying the hatchet as to Byrd's racialist past in the West Virginia of oh-so-many years ago. Byrd was excited to have the young Senator in his office, has waited for the meeting. Gave Obama a gift of some law books I believe it was.
Obama also spoke eloquently as to Byrd's lengthy speech on the floor, as to the history and importance of the Senate and how the frail old man seemed so powerful and as though made of history itself and how the Chamber seemed to close in on him and his stentorian inflections and impassioned gestures. A cinematic description.
It was an odd moment when their meeting in the office broke up and Obama accepting those gifted books, and the two accepting one another, however awkwardly but still very willingly.
And now, the lion in the depth of his winter has returned to make history together with Obama and a bold, shared vision. Some coda to an unlikely life of a very powerful man.
July 21, 2009 1:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why can't they vote from the hospital? Closed circuit TV ( like they do in court) is easy to rig.
Seems stupid that their vote would be wasted because of illness.
July 21, 2009 2:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have never been all that much into politics. However, I have had the good fortune of shaking hands with both Barack Obama (Super-Tuesday, 2008) and Senator Byrd (1962 when he was, I believe, the youngest member of the Senate). Two events I will never forget. I actually rode the subway with Senator Byrd to a live Senate session. I have the utmost respect for the man. Everyone thought he was a wacko when he stood up against George bush's war. Guess what? He was right. Almost everyone else was wrong.
July 21, 2009 3:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
In the interest of historical accuracy, the majority of Democrats in Congress opposed Bush's venture into Iraq--unfortunately, in the Senate, a slim majority of the Democratic Senators voted for Bush's Iraqi adventure.
Byrd--and other Democrats in the Senate--voted against the war and this went against the majority of the Senate. The sad truth is that many Senate Democrats voted for the adventure--and then went on to seek the nomination from the party for President. They lost.
July 21, 2009 3:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Now, if we can get Kennedy back.
July 21, 2009 6:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Does anyone have any idea why Kennedy doesn't retire? He is unlikely to be able to return much less complete his term. It would seem that in the best interests of his state and country he should gracefully retire while he still can.
July 21, 2009 8:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
As crass as it may sound I would rather have a sick Robert Byrd than no Robert Byrd because there's is no guarantee that his state will vote for a Dem. senator and right now, Liebertwit, Buckrus and Benedict Nelson are acting whacky enough with 60 votes. They are going to act even more holier than thou if we're for sure down to 59. Besides, isn't Byrd trying to break a record or something related to the length of his tenure.
July 21, 2009 10:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Senator Byrd is the longest serving US Senator in history, breaking the record previously held by Strom Thurmond.
July 22, 2009 12:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
...and Kennedy would overtake Thurmond by next spring. Sadly, it seems unlikely now. Inouye is steps behind him and so is more likely to overtake Thurmond.
July 22, 2009 12:42 PM | Reply | Permalink