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Updated: 12:28 p.m.

Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) was taken to a hospital “as a precautionary measure— on Friday after his temperature spiked because of a minor infection, according to a statement from his office.

Byrd, 91 and the Senate’s longest-serving Member, “is being treated with antibiotics, responding well, and is expected to be released from the hospital in a few days— the statement said.

The statement didn’t reveal where Byrd is being treated, nor did it specify the type of infection for which he is being treated.

The ailing Democrat has been admitted to the hospital a few times over the past year. In June, he also had been treated for a minor infection.

Byrd’s failing health became an issue last year when he chaired the powerful Appropriations Committee. After a strong push from Democratic leaders throughout the year, Byrd voluntarily gave up the gavel, but he still chairs the panel’s Subcommittee on Homeland Security.

Emily Pierce contributed to this report.

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