Sen. Robert Byrd, the longest-serving member of Congress, was admitted to a Washington-area hospital last week and is "seriously ill," according to a statement released by his office Sunday.
Byrd, 92, was admitted to the hospital for what was believed to be heat exhaustion and dehydration following recent high temperatures in Washington, D.C. In a statement, Byrd spokesman Jesse Jacobs said that "other conditions have developed which has resulted in his condition being described as 'serious.' "
First elected to the House in 1952 and the Senate six years later, the Democrat has been in frail health for years. Last summer, he was hospitalized for several weeks for an infection. He later returned to Capitol Hill and, in March, helped Democrats advance the final pieces of President Obama's health care law.
The statement from Byrd's office did not disclose which hospital is treating Byrd nor any specifics about his condition. His office did not return a call seeking further information.
Senate records show Byrd's most recent vote was cast June 17.
| We wish him well and a speedy recovery, so that he can retire and spend his remaining days with his family. |
|