WASHINGTON (CNN) - West Virginia Sen. Robert Byrd's hospital stay will likely extend for at least another week, his office said Monday.
Byrd, a 91-year-old Democrat, entered the hospital on May 15 as a precautionary measure. A statement by his office three days later said he was
expected to be released "in a few days."
However, Byrd developed a staph infection while hospitalized, and his office said Monday he "continues to improve but remains in the hospital while he undergoes physical therapy and treatment for" the staph infection.
Byrd, a Democrat, "is not expected" to be in his office this week, according to the statement. It said Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington, will help fill in for Byrd by managing the chamber's consideration of the Homeland Security Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2010 this week.
"Sen. Byrd is resuming some of his official duties while recuperating, including signing several ... bills as president pro tempore of the Senate, and
working with staff on upcoming appropriations bills," the statement said.
Byrd was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1958, and is the chamber's longest-serving member.
For being the most trusted name in news, it would be nice if you'd check your facts before posting a story. Patty Murray is from Washington State while Jay Rockefeller is the other Democratic Senator from West Virginia.
Sen. Patty Murray is the Democratic Senator from Washingto; Sen. Jay Rockefeller is the other Democratic Senator from West Virginia.
Patty Murray is not Byrd's fellow Democratic Senator from West Virginia. She is a Democratic Senator for the state of Washington; John D. Rockefeller is Byrd's fellow Democratic Senator from West Virginia. I am somewhat surprised CNN would have an error like this.
Double check your stories. Patty Murray is not Senator Byrd's "fellow Democratic Senator from West Virginia." She's from Washington State. Please get it right. I've seen this happen a few times already, but had to say something this time.
Let's hope he lives another 91 years and serves as a Democrat in the Senate. America needs more senators like Byrd to fend off the Greedy Old Party (GOP) of NEVER. Hope to see you back on the hill soon Senator. Get well soon.
Gid love Senator Byrd and also Senator kennedy, but please tell me why we allow these two geriactrics to remainin office? There comes a time when retirement ought to be imposed. We have had a few relics in DC who simply cannot and should not be goerning in the Senate
Here's to a full recovery Senator Byrd!
Patty Murray is the senior senator from Washington, not West Virginia. I believe what you were trying to say is she is the second most senior Democrat on the Approps Committee, behind Senator Byrd.
The other Democratic Senator from West Virginia is Jay Rockefeller.
Lucky him, he has health care insurance.
I would just like to point out that Patty Murray is the Senator from Washington State, not, as the post states from WV.