Byrd returns to Senate

by: Carnacki

Tue Jul 21, 2009 at 13:28:05 PM EDT

Washington, DC - Senator Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., returned to the Senate today to vote on a key amendment to the FY 2010 Defense Department Authorization Bill.  Byrd has been sidelined from the Senate since mid-May due to a hospitalization for a minor infection and a subsequent staph infection which he contracted while in the hospital. He has been receiving physical therapy at his home for the past few weeks.

Byrd returned to the Senate chambers today to vote against an amendment to delete funding for the U.S. Air Forces' F-22 jet fighter program.  Byrd noted the importance of the number of jobs the continued production of the jet fighter program provides nationwide in a struggling economy, including in the state of West Virginia.

Byrd noted that it was "wonderful to be back in the august body where I have served for more than 50 years, and to see all my colleagues who have been so supportive of me during my recent hospitalization."

Byrd is expected to ease back into his duties as Senator.  With major debate and votes upcoming on the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court, health care and climate change legislation, Byrd wants to ensure he is in good health to be in the chamber to cast his vote on behalf of his fellow West Virginians.