Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., made a surprise return to the Senate on Wednesday to a thunderous standing ovationin the chamber as he helped Democrats pass a long-stalled Medicare bill.
Kennedy, 76, who is suffering from a brain tumor and undergoing chemotherapy, was not expected to return to the Senate for weeks, but said he showed up because Democrats needed one more vote to move a bill that would block an 11 percent cut to Medicare payments made to doctors.
“I wasn’t going to take the chance that my vote could make the difference,” Kennedy said.
Looking hobbled, Kennedy, who also suffers from chronic back pain, walked onto the Senate floor accompanied by his son, Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., and Sens. Barack Obama, D-Ill., John Kerry, D-Mass., and Christopher Dodd,
D-Conn.
Kennedy’s niece, Caroline Kennedy, his wife, Vicki, and his entire staff filled the viewing galleries. Senators crowded around Kennedy to hug him and shake his hand. Moments after arriving, the clerk called his name and Kennedy said “aye” and gave a thumbs-up sign on the vote, which was needed to clear a procedural hurdle.
Senate Democratic leaders had for days been hunting around for the 60th vote needed to prevent the Republicans from filibustering the Medicare bill, which would have led to endless debate. A similar vote on June 26 fell short by two votes.
Once the procedural hurdle was cleared Wednesday, the bill passed by voice vote.
“Senator Kennedy showed again today why he is so beloved in our Senate family,” said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., calling Kennedy “one of the greatest fighters this body has ever seen.”
