"Shut Up"

Those were the words that enfeebled U.S. Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV) had for those who suggest that he should step down from his position as Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, as reported by The Hill.

The chairmanship of that committee is important to Sen. Byrd, who has long been one of the worst abusers of the appropriations process. Years ago, the Senator promised to make himself a billion dollar industry for his constituents. After having endured somewhat lessened influence during the years of a Republican majority in the Senate, Sen. Byrd can be expected to want to take full advantage of the restoration of his power that recommenced last year.