Redstate

Posted at 9:20am on Apr. 9, 2008 Democrat Byrd's staff clings to Appropriations chair

The Senator's diminished capacity troubles some Dems.

By Mark Kilmer

Preceded in this capacity by Senator John Stennis (D-Mississippi, deceased), Senator Robert Byrd (D-West Virginia) became chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee in 1989. Now, despite his advanced age (90) and diminished capacity, he will not leave.

Senior Democratic senators privately considered Tuesday Sen. Robert Byrd's capacity to handle his spot at the top of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, but the 90-year-old lawmaker won't be stepping down from the demanding job, his office told CNN.

Roll Call first reported the discussions by several Democratic senators, and a Democratic aide, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed to CNN the thrust of the newspaper report.

"There are some who have concerns," the aide said. "Ahead of the appropriations season, some people have concerns which leaked out of a meeting."

It seems that his staff covets the power.

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