Sen. Kennedy Ready to Cast Key Vote for Economic Stimulus, Senators Say

[babylonsister]

Sen. Kennedy Ready to Cast Key Vote for Economic Stimulus, Senators Say
By Alan K. Ota and Kathleen Hunter, CQ Staff


Ailing Massachusetts Sen. Edward M. Kennedy has returned to the Washington area and is waiting to cast a potentially decisive vote to advance the Democratic majority’s economic stimulus package, according to several Democratic senators.

Kennedy, 76, arrived on Friday from Florida, where he had been recuperating since suffering a seizure during an Inauguration Day luncheon in the Capitol’s Statuary Hall. Kennedy is battling a malignant brain tumor.

The White House helped to arrange for Kennedy’s return to Washington, one senator said.

Kennedy did not return to the Capitol on Friday, according to several senators, but placed a call to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid , D-Nev. “He told Harry Reid , ‘Kennedy reporting for duty,” West Virginia Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV said Saturday.

Kennedy aides did not return telephone calls or e-mails seeking comment on the senator’s plans for the key vote or his arrangements for returning to and staying in the Washington area this weekend.

If he takes part in an expected Feb. 9 vote to limit debate on a compromise stimulus amendment hammered out Friday, it will be the first vote Kennedy has cast since Nov. 20, when he cast a procedural vote in favor of a bill to extend unemployment insurance (PL 110-449) — and only his second Senate vote since he was diagnosed with the brain tumor in June.

more...

http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=5&docID=news-000003027390

[glowing]

1. God love the man, but isn't it time to let the seat go?

[acmavm]

2. No. Let him fight for us until the end. At least HE'S on our side.

[babylonsister]

3. No. This seat might be part of the reason he's still alive.

We need him as long as he's willing and able.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

4. does anyone know why a senator can't vote by proxy? or phone

in? What, is that unconstitutional or something? Maybe they are worried
no one would show up?

Kennedy deserves every special treatment known to man. Despite losing brothers to violent death and having
all the wealth anyone could ever dream of...he still got up everyday and stood up for the common man
and what was right. He could have sailed away and sipped fine scotch.