September 7, 2008
Posted: 04:10 PM ET
Despite his illness, Sen. Kennedy recently traveled to Denver and addressed the Democratic National Convention.
Despite his illness, Sen. Kennedy recently traveled to Denver and addressed the Democratic National Convention.

(CNN) — Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy, who underwent surgery in June for a brain tumor, will not return to Capitol Hill this week when Congress returns from its August recess.

The senator, who was diagnosed with brain cancer in the spring, plans to return to the Senate in January, said spokesman Anthony Coley.

"As Sen. Kennedy said two weeks ago in Denver, he intends to be on the floor of the United States Senate next January when we begin to write the next great chapter of American progress," Coley said. "Senator Kennedy's doctors are pleased with his progress so far and have recommended that he continue to work from home through the fall."

Congress is only returning for a short session. The Senate will spend three weeks in session before breaking for the campaign season.

Kennedy, 76, made his first appearance in the Senate in July, returning to cast a vote to help break a deadlock on an important Medicare bill. He is currently undergoing radiation treatment and chemotherapy.

Filed under: Ted Kennedy


Kaye- Jacksonville FL   September 7th, 2008 9:14 pm ET

Ted Kennedy is the epitome of "public servant" - my prayers are with him and I know that he and Hillary both will serve this country well when the new DEMOCRATIC senate convenes in January to support PRESIDENT OBAMA.

"Interesting" - PUMA is a joke. If you supported Hillary because of what she believed and stood for, you couldn't possibly go McCain-Palin. PUMA = petty and spiteful at the expense of our country and our children. McCain-Palin will take what George W has done and make it even worse!! But go ahead and post your ignorant comments - true Democrats and true Hillary supporters have moved on to get Obama elected…were you busy listening to Leiberman whine when Hillary said her supporters needed to vote Democratic? Did you hear her condemnation of McCain and his Red-Red Republican platform?
You're scary - but not for the reasons you think!!

RSB   September 7th, 2008 9:10 pm ET

It'll be nice to have him back. We miss the Kennedys and what they mean to our country. No matter what they have done (in their personal lives), they still get more respect than anyone else.

Elizabeth NC   September 7th, 2008 9:09 pm ET

True patriot who definitely puts his country first. What a welcoming way to harvest the fruits of your hard fought labor. President Obama will at that time be settling in his new job and be preparing for his first state of the Union address. Remember last year when the two of you sat together at whathisface's last address? Very good to know you are recovering that well. God's speed and blessing.

Breck   September 7th, 2008 9:04 pm ET

Good for you Senator Kennedy, you've been a force to respect in Washington for years, it's good your continuing your work. PUMA is such a joke, Hillary told you to support Obama, now do it you selfish fools..

Tom   September 7th, 2008 8:02 pm ET

God bless you, Teddy Kennedy. A true patriot and force for good in this world.

As for the commenter named "interesting," your PUMA stance makes no sense unless your only objective is to get a woman–any woman–into office. Hillary Clinton disagrees with McCain and Palin on almost every issue and agrees with Barack Obama on almost every issue. Think about it!

Pamela   September 7th, 2008 6:08 pm ET

Good for him we can't wait to see him back in there fighting for us.

Bobby   September 7th, 2008 6:07 pm ET

go kennedy you can do it another dem back on the Hill supporting Barack Obama for president

Obama 08

Kevin   September 7th, 2008 6:07 pm ET

He should retire if he cannot attend. Being a Senator is a serious business and not a luxury. It's time he stood aside to let someone else have a chance

FEBRA   September 7th, 2008 6:03 pm ET

IT IS GREAT TO SEE SUCH COURAGE AND DETERMIINATION. SEN.KENNEDY IS THE TRUE MAVERICK.

Dejon   September 7th, 2008 5:59 pm ET

well he could comfort Mcain when he lose LOL

Remy   September 7th, 2008 5:56 pm ET

I wish a long life to a Kennedy and hemust happy!

Manuel TX   September 7th, 2008 5:55 pm ET

I respect this man although I don't agree with everything that he's done.

I certainly don't like that he did not support HRC.

I also think that he needs to retire, and that we need to impose term limits on federal senators.

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linda from South Dakota   September 7th, 2008 5:48 pm ET

welcome back, ted,, we missed you and im so glad u are feelin better,, the country needs u and obama needs your support,,, again welcome back,,,,,,,,

bruja   September 7th, 2008 5:47 pm ET

Interesting, you are an idiot.

mary   September 7th, 2008 5:42 pm ET

Thank God for his blessings in the healing and a full recovery of Senator Kenny .We pray for his continued recovery that he may restore hie strength and health stronger than every before.

Denise   September 7th, 2008 5:40 pm ET

Do not do too much too soon.

thomas   September 7th, 2008 5:38 pm ET

Ted Kennedy is a great humanitarian. We all wish him a full recovery.

Thomas5   September 7th, 2008 5:35 pm ET

Hopefully he won't drive there. He doesn't exactly have a stellar driving record, ya know.

But I hear he swims pretty good.

Griff   September 7th, 2008 5:34 pm ET

"You will require, "Climbing Gear"… Better stay home..

Horrible PUMAS   September 7th, 2008 5:29 pm ET

The guy is dying of brain cancer, and you want to make a joke out of it.

I got a new slogan for you:
PUMAS - Being heartless since 2007

kaate Brown   September 7th, 2008 5:29 pm ET

The Great Man is back to the City.

Good for Obama

Long live Teddy

We all love you

Jacob   September 7th, 2008 5:24 pm ET

Good one interesting!
I'm thinking Palin!

VETERAN FOR OBAMA/BIDEN   September 7th, 2008 5:23 pm ET

Good for him! His country needs his leadership in the senate. What's really "interesting" is that republicans have held the house, senate, and white house for 6 of the last eight years and have managed to grow government to an incredible beauracracy, increase the debt and deficit, nearly destroy our military, erode our reputation abroad, and those silly little republican "community organizers" can't seem to pull their heads out and realize that if they don't make $5M a year, they are nobodies to the republican politicians!! That's what's "interesting".

Independent Voter in Missouri   September 7th, 2008 5:23 pm ET

If you were an intelligent PUMA you would realize that McCain does have any of the same policies as Hillary Clinton.

Someone serious   September 7th, 2008 5:20 pm ET

you puma people are puzzlingly misguided

Sharon   September 7th, 2008 5:20 pm ET

That is wonderful!!! I send my best wishes!!

Willy Brown   September 7th, 2008 5:13 pm ET

What ever…

observer   September 7th, 2008 5:11 pm ET

Hey Puma ,why don't you have some respect you pathetic loser.He's improving the medicare bill for your candidate.

observer   September 7th, 2008 5:07 pm ET

Hey Puma ,why don't you have some respect you pathetic loser.

Chase   September 7th, 2008 5:04 pm ET

Who cares!? He and his do-nothing Congress better do something before they lose control of the Senate! My grandfather is 76 now, he was sick and could barely drag his foot off the bed, and he still had to do work the next day, I wish he could have this kind of luxury vacation/benefit like Ted had.

FrankSmith   September 7th, 2008 4:55 pm ET

CNN should really give up on this polling task, given that they are NOT really good at it!!

But then, I still live in a nation where people truly believe that…

1. life begins at conception, and therefore, the life of Christ only started at conception;

2. paying higher taxes means giving to the poor; the poor should be left on their own;

3. life, at the time of conception, is more important than life that is maintained and how it ends;

4. experience is more important than "good" judgement, even when you go wrong 95% of the time.

5. only Republicans know how to defend and protect this country against war etc. as though only Republicans serve in the military

6. only the "morally right" or just has the right judgment to lead this nation; democrats do not have these moral rights;

7. there is no clear distinction between the Constitution of the U.S. and the 10 commandments, although the Republicans believe that they do not need to keep these commandments, they are there to see to it that the commandments are kept by the democrats!!

Mrs. Earlene Brigham   September 7th, 2008 4:53 pm ET

My prayers are with you Sir. God will say to you Job well done. You will be ok.

John Smith   September 7th, 2008 4:53 pm ET

CNN should really give up on this polling task, given that they are NOT really good at it!!

But then, I still live in a nation where people truly believe that…

1. life begins at conception, and therefore, the life of Christ only started at conception;

2. paying higher taxes means giving to the poor; the poor should be left on their own;

3. life, at the time of conception, is more important than life that is maintained and how it ends;

4. experience is more important than "good" judgement, even when you go wrong 95% of the time.

5. only Republicans know how to defend and protect this country against war etc. as though only Republicans serve in the military

6. only the "morally right" or just has the right judgment to lead this nation; democrats do not have these moral rights;

7. there is no clear distinction between the Constitution of the U.S. and the 10 commandments, although the Republicans believe that they do not need to keep these commandments, they are there to see to it that the commandments are kept by the democrats!!

how   September 7th, 2008 4:50 pm ET

Don't baby DADDY (since no one can lister to her pastor sermon's) = to Rev. Wright……………PREJUDICE IS PROVED ON BOTH CAMPS, SAD………..NO ONE SHOULD BE EXCUSED FOR THIS!!!!!!

Alaska and Arizona POW for Obama/Biden   September 7th, 2008 4:50 pm ET

Welcome back to Washington and we need you there.
Geraldine Ferraro was the first woman VP and was a democrat. You people get inform before who say such thing that this is the greatest history for women since suffrage. No it isn't; I wonder if geraldine ferraro nomination as first woman VP in the history of US was not matter. People are very inform and saying such things makes people want to laugh at your one sided republican guts. Geraldine ferraro first woman nominate VP, Hillary Clinton first woman to run for the presidency as a front runner for quite a long time and these folks are Democrats. No way, no how, No mcCain son of George Bush.
We were waiting for a savior to save our country we found Bush as Americans personal savior. Now Bush as a god that kill and distroy economy will send McCain his son to finish the job. No way, No how, No McCain.

McCain + Sarah = empty suits   September 7th, 2008 4:49 pm ET

CNN post my comment
Really?
Come rain or sunshine Obama wins in a landslide.
Eight is enough.!!!!!!!!!!!

Charlotte   September 7th, 2008 4:45 pm ET

Wonder if Senators get sick leave? Do they receive their salaries whether they serve or not? Obama has been gone for 24 months, has he continued to receive his salary? How about McCain, Clinton, Biden?

Fred   September 7th, 2008 4:45 pm ET

Mr. Kennedy,
Don't you thank your time is up. It is time you step down and
let someone else take your place. Sorry about your recent
illness and all, but it is time that you just get out. The only
way you have survived so far is the name Kennedy.
Many us of feel that since that time decades when you left the
scene of your drunk driving incident, that caused a death to
someone you should have been stripped of your seat, and
prosecuted by the law. It is only your family heritage that
has let you hold on to what you have. See many people
haven't forgotten what you have done so long ago.
So please do the right thing , don't play on you recent mishap
to retain you Senate seat. Give it up.

Katrina   September 7th, 2008 4:44 pm ET

Godspeed on all your travels, Ted!

Eric   September 7th, 2008 4:41 pm ET

Palin just hired TWO MORE people from the BUSH ADMINISTRATION!

How can they McCain and Palin claim to be change when it will be the EXACT same people in their adminstration?

Come on America, we are better than this.

The world is waiting for a better tomorrow.

Your children are waiting for a better tomorrow.

I don't want my kids to have to live a lifetime with things like they have been for the last 8 years.

107 yr old white woman   September 7th, 2008 4:32 pm ET

It's time to call out some of you who are still "…not getting it ". You will rather wait four more years (2012) to vote for another Democratic Nominee instead of the one we have now? You know you don't agree with McCain's ideas for this country. You see I like Hillary too and what she believes in. But unfortunately she's out of this race. You want four more years of being McBushwacked? You are only hurting yourself. Let me tell you something….you better start living for November because you don't know if Hillary will be alive in the next four years. YOU may not be alive in the next four years. Let me teach you YOUNGSTERS something. A woman gets a flat tire in the middle of the hot desert. She knows she has a smaller spare in the trunk. The small spare tire doesn't have the EXPERIENCE OF MILES like the other big tires. Matter of fact that small spare tire is different and ugly. You HATE that small tire! Will you sit in the desert for 4 years and wait until a new tire "roll your way"? Will you try to drive the next 4 years on a flat tire simply because you hate that spare? Or will take that ugly, small and generic spare tire out of the trunk and replace the flat tire? Here's the summary of it all. At least that spare tire will get you rolling toward your destination or somewhere to get help. The stubborn people are stuck in the desert for the NEXT four years along with the previous EIGHT. The letter "O" is the only letter that's like a small spare tire…."O"bama 08.

interesting   September 7th, 2008 4:30 pm ET

Well, he can comfort Barack America while he is back in the Senate.

LOL!

PUMA 2008!

ET   September 7th, 2008 4:25 pm ET

Tell him to stay home, he's no longer needed.

Tim MN.   September 7th, 2008 4:24 pm ET

21st century sorry!

BOSTON FOR OBAMA/BIDEN 08   September 7th, 2008 4:21 pm ET

I anxiously await his return to Congress because He is a powerful presence in Washington.

Ted Kennedy was the 1st politician to shake my hand and ask for my support when I was in my late teens. Never will I forget that cool fall morning.

RJ   September 7th, 2008 4:19 pm ET

Senator kennedy. has always touched the hearts of the people of this nation no matter he is. his dedication to america will go down in history as the most inspired man for the underprivigale.

California Gold   September 7th, 2008 4:12 pm ET

Take good care Senator Kennedy. You and your family are in our prayers.

Diane Dagenais Turbide   September 7th, 2008 4:00 pm ET

Mr. kennedy,

I have no doubt that you will be back in January…standing beside Barack Obama as President!

When you listen to the views around the world, you kind of wonder how Mr. McCain could have chosen Mrs. Palin as V.P….is he connected to the outside world of America! I guess his message is it will not be change in Washington's foreign policies…it is just a message I want to win no matter what..I guess he is now keen on winning the war within himself.

Cindy   September 7th, 2008 3:59 pm ET

I respect this man, you can really tell he loves his country. Being as sick as he is I don't think anybody would still be working as hard as he does.

D.Bradshaw   September 7th, 2008 3:59 pm ET

I am so glad to see him feeling better..Hang tough..you are soooo loved…please take care, praying for you !

ch   September 7th, 2008 3:57 pm ET

He's so popular in his home state of MA that he endorsed Obama - yet Hillary won MA by 15 points!

sonnyboy   September 7th, 2008 3:56 pm ET

HONORABLE SEN KENNEDY: TAKE YOUR TIME GETTING BACK. YOU HAVE DONE MORE FOR OUR COUNTRY THEN ANYONE COULD IMMANGINE. REST, ENJOY YOUR FAMILY AND HOME.
COME BACK WHEN YOU ARE READY AND WHEN YOUR DOCTORS ADVISE.
GOD BLESS YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Loretta   September 7th, 2008 3:55 pm ET

I don't think CNN will post this one either but…………

This is wonderful news. I'm hoping you'll have a full and complete recovery too, Senator.

Linda from AZ   September 7th, 2008 3:52 pm ET

It's time to be looking for term limits for House and Senate, along with their retirement plan that start with one term. Age limit on the Supreme Court. That would cause CHANGE to always be present that is controlled outside the parties.

Would be nice if they voted for the people they are there representing instead of their party line. Sounds like a sand box "you can't have it unless you give me something"!!

Get more involved EMAIL congress and let them know how you feel. If you want you "comments" to really count.

FreeNLovIt   September 7th, 2008 3:51 pm ET

I dont care about Caroline Kennedy. She's not too bright for not supporting Hillary.

Bill From Florida   September 7th, 2008 3:50 pm ET

That's great, we all love him, but please leave Caroline Kennedy
at home.

Chips   September 7th, 2008 3:50 pm ET

Wish you well Sen. Kennedy!

Bill, Alabama   September 7th, 2008 3:46 pm ET

While I have not always agreed with Senator Kennedy on some issues, I have always admired him for taking a stand and fighting for what he believes in.

I also admire him for his courageous fight in the face of cancer.

Helene   September 7th, 2008 3:41 pm ET

Glad to hear, God bless you.

Kathy, Andover   September 7th, 2008 3:41 pm ET

This is good news.

Ellie   September 7th, 2008 3:39 pm ET

This is truly "God's Blessings in all it's glory".

We love you Sen.Kennedy and we LOOK forward to a healthy recovery and we have "nothing but LOVE" for you.

We're behind you 150%.

GOD BLESS AMERICA, GOD BLESS SEN. TED KENNEDY. OUR PRAYERS TO OUT TO YOU AND THE ENTIRE KENNEDY FAMILY!

WELCOME BACK TK!

Hillary Supporter for Obama   September 7th, 2008 3:39 pm ET

We miss you Ted! I look forward to being right there when Obama is sworn in to office as POTUS.

Obama/Biden '08

Tim MN.   September 7th, 2008 3:38 pm ET

After 2000 years in office he can STILL help create 19th century laws in the 20th century you go Democrats!

Greg FL.   September 7th, 2008 3:38 pm ET

Goodluck Senator Kennedy.

Roz, IL   September 7th, 2008 3:33 pm ET

and we welcome you back sir. i will continue to pray for you. may GOD continue to bless you.

-off subject. CNN, i heard from talk radio that at the RNC convention, at the voters registration booth, the registrations for dems were torn up and thrown away. one of the workers reported this crime and was jailed bc as usual the rethugs blamed it on him. IF THIS IS TRUE, why is not being reported.

Enlightened Voter   September 7th, 2008 3:32 pm ET

You Ted, are one of my heroes. You have always worked for the people and I was so proud of your endorsement of Obama from day 1. It showed me that your judgment has always been brilliant. i wonder what your take would be on the mccain/paliar campaign? I am sure it makes you sick to your stomach to see such a warmonger and crushingly inexperienced pit bull running for the highest office in the land.

Danny   September 7th, 2008 3:28 pm ET

This guy is a joke. No need to come to Washington. It is better if you retire and take care of your health. We will be at peace.

Mrs. Texas Teacher   September 7th, 2008 3:22 pm ET

Get well quickly, Senator Kennedy! My prayers are with you and I suspect most of this country! Say what they will, the Kennedy family has always fought for the average People! I just hope that you come back to an Obama/Biden administration. I know that together, you and the Democrats, can start to make this country a place for the average American to prosper, not just corporate America.

Law   September 7th, 2008 3:22 pm ET

Obama supporter love you and need you. We pray for you getting well!

Farrell, Houston, Tx   September 7th, 2008 3:21 pm ET

GOD BLESS SENATOR KENNEDY.

Sherry, Atlanta   September 7th, 2008 3:18 pm ET

GLAD TO SEE YOUR RECOVERY IS GOING WELL!

GOD BLESS!

S. Boatman   September 7th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

The Lion Is Back!

Esmaralda   September 7th, 2008 3:13 pm ET

It is great to hear of such positive progress. All the best wishes and hopes for a speedy recovery to Senator Kennedy.

Brian   September 7th, 2008 3:11 pm ET

Glad to know he'll be back doing the good work. Keep it up Teddy!!

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