After third hospital stay, Byrd back to business

Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) was back to dealing with Senate Appropriations Committee business Wednesday after recovering from his third hospitalization of the year.

Byrd, who is 90 and the longest-serving senator in U.S. history, displayed some humor chairing his first hearing since returning from his respite. Byrd was hospitalized for an infection on June 2. He was kept for a few days of observation, then recuperated at his home.

{mosads}In an interview after the hearing, Byrd said he felt healthy and acknowledged the concerns of many fellow senators and Senate observers.

“That’s understandable and I’m grateful, but I’m fine,” he said.

Byrd seemed more focused on the Appropriations Homeland Security subcommittee hearing he chaired, lobbing criticism at President Bush for a flat-rate, $38.7 billion budget request. He called that sorely inadequate, particularly because it would mean “dire cuts” in funds the government needs to respond to natural disasters and protect the country’s borders.

Wednesday was not Byrd’s first day back in the Senate. The senator had attended a floor vote Thursday on a Medicare measure and was en route to a Monday afternoon vote when it was canceled due to poor weather.

Byrd’s spokesman, Jesse Jacobs, said Byrd plans to attend Thursday’s full committee markup session and that he intends to finish all 12 appropriations bills by the end of July.