Ailing Kennedy Returns To The Senate For Vote

by David Espo, AP Special Correspondent

WASHINGTON (AP) – Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, battling a brain tumor, walked through a wall of applause into the Senate on Wednesday and cast a stunningly unexpected vote on long-stalled Medicare legislation.

“Aye,” the 76-year-old Kennedy said in a loud voice, and he made a thumbs-up gesture as he registered his vote.

Spectators in the galleries that overhang the chamber burst into cheers – a violation of decorum that drew no complaints.

Kennedy made his way into the Senate on his own power, appearing little the worse for his illness. A patch of scalp was clearly visible amid his familiar white hair, although it was not clear whether that was a result of surgery he underwent or the effects of chemotherapy that is part of his treatment.

He walked into chamber accompanied by Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, his party’s presidential nominee-in-waiting, as well as fellow Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry and his own son, Rep. Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island.

Democratic senators, who had been tipped to his presence, burst into applause when he entered. Some Republicans looked around quizzically, then joined in the applause when they saw Kennedy.

“I return to the Senate today to keep a promise to our senior citizens and that’s to protect Medicare,” Kennedy’s office said in a statement it released as the vote was unfolding.

“Win, lose or draw, I wanted to be here. I wasn’t going to take the chance that my vote could make the difference.”

Officials said Kennedy left Boston immediately after his daily cancer treatment for a flight to Washington. He was expected to return home immediately, in time for Thursday’s treatment.

Seated in the gallery were Kennedy’s wife, Vicki and his niece, Caroline Kennedy. As the tourists and senators alike rose in a standing ovation, Vicki Kennedy wiped away tears.

So did many of Kennedy’s colleagues and several Senate clerks.

Kennedy’s dramatic return gave Democrats the impetus they needed to free Medicare legislation from gridlock. It had received 59 votes on an earlier test, one short of the 60 needed to advance.

Kennedy made 60, and when Republicans saw the outcome was sealed, several of them joined Democrats to pad the margin.

Associated Press Writer Glen Johnson in Boston and Laurie Kellman in Washington contributed to this report.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)