Harry Reid reportedly has a secret plan to "ease" Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) out of his chairmanship of the Appropriations Committee.
That is, he had a secret plan.
Not so secret anymore.
Reid has not yet discussed his plans with Byrd. But in a recent closed-door meeting with his advisers in Las Vegas and a private conversation with Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), Reid has laid out a scenario that would have Inouye — the committee’s second-ranking Democrat — taking over Byrd’s chairmanship by the time the 111th Congress convenes in January.It might be time to mention it to Sen. Byrd.
Byrd — the longest-serving senator in U.S. history — would become chairman emeritus, likely retaining coveted office space in the Capitol near the Senate floor. He would also remain Senate president pro tempore, which leaves him third in line to the presidency even though his health now makes even routine public appearances both arduous and awkward.
And not for nothing, Sen. Reid, but if you're going to "ease" an infirm 90-year-old out of his senate chairmanship, I for one would appreciate it if he could be removed from the line of succession while you're at it. Just sayin'.
