Medical workers aided Sens. Ted Kennedy and Robert Byrd during the inaugural luncheon in the Capitol’s Statuary Hall.
Both were wheeled out by medical personnel during the luncheon, which immediately followed President Barack Obama’s inaguration on the West Front of the Capitol. Kennedy recently returned to the Senate after a fight with a brain tumor, while Byrd has been frail for years.
Capitol staff had no further updates on the conditions of either senator though comments from Obama hinted at something serious.
“He was there when the voting rights act was passed,” Obama said of Kennedy. “So I would be lying to you if I did not say to you that right now a part of me is with him, and I think that’s true for all of us.”
Obama said his prayers were with Kennedy’s wife and family.
House Chaplain Rev. Daniel Coughlin told the assembled guests that Kennedy was responding to medical treatment and was on his way to the hospital.
