Sen. Byrd Steps Down From Powerful Committee Chairmanship

By Paul Kane
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, November 7, 2008

Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.), 90, the longest-serving senator in history, announced today he is stepping down as chairman of the Appropriations Committee, one of the most powerful panels on Capitol Hill.

Byrd -- whose penchant for steering billions of dollars to his state made him a legend at home and in the Senate -- will relinquish his gavel under pressure from Democratic leaders who believe he has become too frail to continue in such an important job.

In a statement, Byrd cited the victory of President-elect Barack Obama (D-Ill.) as the moment that caused him to recognize the need for new leadership at the committee, which doles out more than $1 trillion a year in federal spending.

"A new day has dawned in Washington, and that is a good thing. For my part, I believe that it is time for a new day at the top of the Senate Appropriations Committee," Byrd said.

Sen. Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), 84, the second-ranking Democrat on the panel for decades, is expected to succeed Byrd as chairman.

(More here.)