September 22, 2009 3:12 PM

Sen. Byrd Falls, Admitted to Hospital

By
Brian Montopoli
Topics
Congress
(AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke)
West Virginia Democratic Senator Robert Byrd has been admitted to the hospital following a fall at his home outside of Washington. In a release, his office said the senator is "expected to remain there for a few days."

"Byrd was taken to the hospital this morning as a precautionary measure following a fall at his home which was likely caused by standing up too quickly," according to the release. "While having no broken bones or bruises, upon examination, doctors found an elevated white-blood cell count which can be an early sign of an infection. Therefore, his doctors have determined that Byrd should remain in the hospital for antibiotic treatment and observation."

The release added that the 91-year-old Byrd is in "good spirits" and is disappointed that he could not be there for the biennial Senate photo.

Byrd, the longest serving senator in the body's history, was hospitalized earlier this year with a staph infection and has been absent from the Senate for most of the year.

First elected in 1958, Byrd is the president pro tempore of the Senate, which puts him third in line in presidential succession. He gave up his chairmanship of the Appropriations Committee in January amid concerns about his health.

Add a Comment
by Bittercling September 23, 2009 3:42 PM EDT
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb320/rfp1234/Politicians/byrd_klan.jpg?t=1232629566

For those too lazy to type "Byrd" and "Klan" into a search engine and do an image search.
Reply to this comment
by Bittercling September 23, 2009 3:36 PM EDT
Say it ain?t so. Not the original Ku Klux Kongresskritter. Maybe with any luck he?ll end up the Democrats? next shovel ready project.
Reply to this comment
by NewYork-Joey September 22, 2009 4:54 PM EDT
I guess since he's a Democrat, they forgot to mention that he was the former Grand Wizard of the Klu Klux Klan......if it was a Republican, you bet they would have reminded you of that little tidbit
Reply to this comment
by Bittercling September 23, 2009 3:40 PM EDT
Pictures don't lie:

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb320/rfp1234/Politicians/byrd_klan.jpg?t=1232629566
by stuart-johns September 22, 2009 4:21 PM EDT
Yeah he should just relax....I guess.
Reply to this comment
by Bittercling September 23, 2009 3:41 PM EDT
Or die.

They should have booted our the racist jerk a long time ago.
by Questionews September 22, 2009 3:53 PM EDT
91 years old?
Dude! You should be out on the lake with your fishing buddies, drinking beer & lying about the big one. (Not your wife)
Call it a career & start sleeping in the morning.
Reply to this comment
by antoniof123 September 22, 2009 3:45 PM EDT
Why is this guy still in congress my God how old do you have to be to quit this and relax.
Reply to this comment
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