With Every Vote Needed To Pass Health Care Reform, Byrd Returns To The Senate

Roll Call reports that 91-year-old Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) has returned to work after a weeks-long illness. Byrd was hospitalized for about six weeks, leaving him unable to vote on any legislation. During his absence, and with Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) also suffering severe health problems, the Democrats’ 60 vote majority was effectively reduced to 58. Now it’s back up to 59. Sixty are required to overcome a filibuster–and will almost certainly be required to pass health care legislation in the Senate.