Byrd Released From Hospital, Voting In Senate

West Virginia Sen. Robert Byrd, who has been hospitalized in recent weeks for a series of minor ailments, is holding his own on the Senate floor today during the budget debate.

Because he is 90 years old, there has been great speculation about Byrd's health. But after suffering from a fall in his home, an infection and a bad reaction to an antibiotic, Byrd has returned to his perch on the Senate floor. He's confined to a wheelchair, but seemed to be in good spirits as one senator after another approached him and patted his shoulder or shook his hand to welcome him back.

Because of the Senate's 51-49 split in favor of Democrats, Byrd's vote is needed on dozens of key budget votes today that may fall along party lines.