Heard on the Hill: Byrd Boycott Ruffles Feathers

• By Emily Heil and Elizabeth Brotherton
• Roll Call Staff
• Nov. 23, 2009, Midnight

Democrats surrounded Sen. Robert Byrd on the Senate floor last week as the West Virginia Democrat gave a rousing speech marking his record-breaking longevity in Congress. But few Republicans joined the celebratory throng gathered to honor Byrd’s 20,774th day as a Member of Congress — and the silence on the GOP side of the aisle has raised some hackles.