Despite Fragile Health, Byrd Is Present for Votes
By MARK LEIBOVICH
NYT
WASHINGTON — In what has become a poignant ritual during a fractious debate, Senator Robert C. Byrd, the 92-year-old Democrat from West Virginia, was pushed onto the Senate floor in his plaid wheelchair Wednesday afternoon. It was his third appearance of the week, each prompted by a vital vote.
There was Mr. Byrd, the longest-tenured senator in history, looking stately in a navy blue suit, waving his long wrist above his head to signal “aye” or thumbs down to say “nay.” He greeted a procession of colleagues paying respects in the Senate well — the Democratic leader, Harry Reid, patting him warmly on the arm, Senator Orrin G. Hatch, Republican of Utah, shaking his hand and whispering something, Senator Barbara Boxer, Democrat of California, applauding his entry.
Earlier this week there were standing ovations, waves, hugs and the occasional moist eyes.
Senate Democrats need every one of their 60 votes to prevail in the donnybrook over a health care overhaul, and this week faced a series of cloture votes — required to end debate on the bill — to move the legislation ahead. That placed no small burden on the frail nonagenarian, who spent six weeks in the hospital last spring with a staph infection, and who did not deliver his customary Christmas address on the Senate floor this year.
(More here.)
NYT
WASHINGTON — In what has become a poignant ritual during a fractious debate, Senator Robert C. Byrd, the 92-year-old Democrat from West Virginia, was pushed onto the Senate floor in his plaid wheelchair Wednesday afternoon. It was his third appearance of the week, each prompted by a vital vote.
There was Mr. Byrd, the longest-tenured senator in history, looking stately in a navy blue suit, waving his long wrist above his head to signal “aye” or thumbs down to say “nay.” He greeted a procession of colleagues paying respects in the Senate well — the Democratic leader, Harry Reid, patting him warmly on the arm, Senator Orrin G. Hatch, Republican of Utah, shaking his hand and whispering something, Senator Barbara Boxer, Democrat of California, applauding his entry.
Earlier this week there were standing ovations, waves, hugs and the occasional moist eyes.
Senate Democrats need every one of their 60 votes to prevail in the donnybrook over a health care overhaul, and this week faced a series of cloture votes — required to end debate on the bill — to move the legislation ahead. That placed no small burden on the frail nonagenarian, who spent six weeks in the hospital last spring with a staph infection, and who did not deliver his customary Christmas address on the Senate floor this year.
(More here.)
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