'Too Old' Byrd to Critics: Shut Up!

Senator, rumored to be under pressure from Reid, will be replaced by Hawaii's Inoyue

(NEWSER) - Robert Byrd resigned today as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, acquiescing to Democratic leaders who reportedly wanted him out of the job, the Hill reports. Byrd, 90, has been hospitalized three times in the past year, and said he was willing to leave the committee in younger hands—namely, those of 84-year-old Hawaiian Daniel Inouye. More»

Upper chamber unlikely to follow House's lead on earmarks

(NEWSER) - House members may be pushing earmark reform, but many of their Senate colleagues refuse to let go without a fight—in fact, Politico notes, it may be the one issue on which senators from both parties can agree on. Lawmakers from both sides argue that the money would be spent anyway, so there's no need to take aim at their pet projects. More»

But so far, not one Republican senator is on board

(NEWSER) - Harry Reid plans to bring the first of several Democratic bills aimed at creating jobs to the Senate floor on Monday, with the goal of passing the measure by the end of next week. “For Senate Democrats, creating jobs is job number one,” the majority leader said. “There will be a vote on a jobs bill on Monday.” Details of the legislation are unclear, but some Democrats have called for a stimulus as large as $80 billion, reports the Hill . More»

A Senate majority leader needs to 'think bigger'

(NEWSER) - The Senate may be dealing with weighty issues like health care reform, but its majority leader's biggest concern is his own political skin, writes Dana Milbank. Harry Reid's selfish focus on re-election is getting in the way of his larger duties, and it's time Democrats woke up to this reality. Yes, the good citizens of Nevada deserve attention, "but in a nation of 300 million, the Senate majority leader needs to think bigger." More»

(NEWSER) - Senator Robert Byrd wants his colleagues to honor Ted Kennedy by renaming health care legislation in his honor, Politico reports. “As a tribute to his commitment to his ideals, let us stop the shouting and name calling,” said Byrd, 92, himself in poor health. "My heart and soul weeps at the loss of my best friend in the Senate, my beloved friend." More»