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'Too Old' Byrd to Critics: Shut Up!

Senator, 90, flexes muscle at hearing

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 17, 2008 2:40 AM CDT

(Newser) – History's longest-serving senator has two words for people who think he's no longer up to the job of chairing the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee: "Shut up." Democrat Robert Byrd, 90, has been hospitalized twice this year but his management of a two-hour hearing on Iraq war spending yesterday apparently silenced his critics, the Hill reports.

Byrd is physically frail but was in complete command of his faculties during the hearing, and sharply criticized the president's handling of the war. Colleagues praised his performance and slammed reporters for paying "macabre" attention to Byrd because of his age. "This ought to stop,” said Majority Leader Dick Durbin. “This poor man is working himself as hard as he can, and all you can do is kind of boil the pot a little.”

Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va. walks to his office on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, March 13, 2008. (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke)

Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., smiles during the unveiling of his portrait on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2007. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook)

Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., presides over a hearing of the committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, in this Sept. 26, 2007 file photo. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)

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'Too Old' Byrd to Critics: Shut Up!

Senator, 90, flexes muscle at hearing

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Boehner Cancels Payroll Vote

House Republicans revolt, call for conference committee

Reid Uses 'Nuclear Option' to Change Senate Rules

Move limits amendments that can be proposed after filibusters

Coburn Holds FAA Hostage With One-Man Filibuster

Agency could face a second shutdown

Senate Votes Down Reid's Plan

But real deal is still being worked on

Sign of Hope? Harry Reid Postpones Debt Vote

It's now scheduled for Sunday afternoon as talks intensify

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'Too Old' Byrd to Critics: Shut Up!

Senator, 90, flexes muscle at hearing

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Senate • Harry Reid • Dick Durbin • Senate Appropriations Committee • Iraq war spending • Robert Byrd

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Boehner Cancels Payroll Vote

House Republicans revolt, call for conference committee

Reid Uses 'Nuclear Option' to Change Senate Rules

Move limits amendments that can be proposed after filibusters

Coburn Holds FAA Hostage With One-Man Filibuster

Agency could face a second shutdown

Senate Votes Down Reid's Plan

But real deal is still being worked on

Sign of Hope? Harry Reid Postpones Debt Vote

It's now scheduled for Sunday afternoon as talks intensify

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?