Aides Cite Bid to Oust Byrd From Panel Post

Senate Democrats have once again begun informal discussions about replacing Robert C. Byrd, the longest-serving senator in history, as chairman of the powerful Appropriations Committee before the start of the 111th Congress in January, according to aides.

Some Democrats view the arrival of a new Congress and administration as the opportune time to ease Byrd out of his chairmanship, contending that he is physically not up to the demands of the job. The Appropriations Committee chairman oversees more than $900 billion in annual discretionary spending by federal agencies, as well as hundreds of billions of dollars in spending for emergencies such as wars and natural disasters.

Byrd, 90, has been ill for the past year and a half. The senator from West Virginia has a noticeable tremor that aides say is not uncommon for someone his age. In February, he was hospitalized after a fall at home, and he often gets around the Capitol in a wheelchair.

He has passed on to junior members many duties that accompany his committee post and his status as president pro tempore of the Senate. That post places him in the line of succession to become president.

Byrd denounced a report on the Web site Politico on Tuesday that Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (Nev.) recently had discussions with his inner circle of advisers in Las Vegas about replacing Byrd. Byrd did not reject the premise of the report but focused his ire on Reid and his aides.

"I am disappointed that, according to press accounts, the Majority Leader is talking to others about the chairmanship of the Senate Appropriations Committee. This is the sort of Washington back-room gossip which ill serves the Democratic Party in a year when Democratic unity should be paramount," Byrd said in a statement.

Byrd dismissed the "musical chairs" game of committee chairmanships that is common just before elections. He did not address his future, except to say that he looked forward to working on a new stimulus package during a brief lame-duck session in mid-November.

After similar talk of his ouster surfaced in the spring, Byrd fought back by calling his colleagues and assuring them that he was up to the task. Senators and key aides privately acknowledged then that Byrd would serve as chairman through this year, with the option of revisiting the issue after the election.

Reid's office is keeping mum. "At the beginning of each Congress, the Democratic caucus determines committee membership. Unless something changes, Senator Byrd will continue to be chairman of the Appropriations Committee," Jim Manley, Reid's spokesman, said.

Insiders expect one of two outcomes in the weeks ahead. Shortly after the election, Byrd could voluntarily step aside so that the succession could be handled during the lame-duck session. After the 1998 elections, Sen. Strom Thurmond (R-S.C.) made a similar move, when, at age 96, he gave up the gavel as Armed Services Committee chairman.

Some worry that Byrd could put up a fight for his post, in which case he probably would be given some time to convince his colleagues that he should keep it, one Democratic adviser said.

If Byrd relinquishes the post, Sen. Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) would be in line to claim it.

Inouye, 84, is a Medal of Honor winner for his service in Italy during World War II and a close friend of Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), who was convicted Monday for failing to disclose more than $250,000 worth of gifts. Despite testifying and campaigning on behalf of Stevens, Inouye is deeply respected by fellow Democrats.