Senate Democrats Discuss Byrd’s Ability to Handle Appropriations Role

• By Erin P. Billings
• Roll Call Staff
• April 8, 2008, 12:05 p.m.

A group of about 15 senior Senate Democrats on Tuesday engaged in the first of what’s likely to be several private discussions about whether their ailing colleague, Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.), can continue handling his duties as the chairman of the Appropriations panel, sources said.