Sen. Byrd goes to hospital after fall

MCLEAN, Va., Sept. 22 (UPI) -- Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., the longest-serving senator in U.S. history, was taken by ambulance to the hospital after falling down Tuesday, his spokesman said.

"Byrd apparently stood up too fast this morning in his home (in McLean, Va.) and fell down," said Jesse Jacobs, a spokesman for the senator. "To err on the side of caution, his caregiver called an ambulance. He was taken to the hospital where he is currently being checked out. At this point in time there is no indication that he will be admitted."

Byrd has served in the Senate since 1958. He led the Appropriations Committee, but gave up the post in January. He still heads a subcommittee on homeland security spending.

In May, Byrd was hospitalized for what aides termed a "minor infection," but has been home fighting various ailments since then and has been absent from the Senate for much of the year. Most recently, he appeared on the Senate floor Sept. 10 when he spoke emotionally about the death of his colleague, Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., Politico.com reported.