Byrd Dies After 57 Years in Congress
Sen. Robert Byrd, who died at 92 early Monday morning, served longer in the Senate and Congress than anyone else in American history -- and he witnessed a good chunk of it. (continued)Sen. Robert Byrd, who died at 92 early Monday morning, served longer in the Senate and Congress than anyone else in American history — and he witnessed a good chunk of it.
The New Deal Democrat was also a Dixiecrat who, as a young man, joined the Klan. Byrd would go on to apologize a thousand times, in his words, and will be remembered by many as one of the few and finest voices resisting the Iraq war.
Your support matters…New York Times:
Mr. Byrd served 51 years in the Senate, longer than anyone else in American history, and with his six years in the House, he was the longest-serving member of Congress. He held a number of Senate offices, including majority and minority leader and president pro tem.
But the post that gave him the most satisfaction was chairman of the Appropriations Committee, with its power of the purse — a post he gave up only last year as his health declined. A New Deal Democrat, Mr. Byrd used the position in large part to battle persistent poverty in West Virginia, which he called “one of the rock bottomest of states.”
Independent journalism is under threat and overshadowed by heavily funded mainstream media.
You can help level the playing field. Become a member.
Your tax-deductible contribution keeps us digging beneath the headlines to give you thought-provoking, investigative reporting and analysis that unearths what's really happening- without compromise.
Give today to support our courageous, independent journalists.
You need to be a supporter to comment.
There are currently no responses to this article.
Be the first to respond.