Democrats Return From Rehab, Surgery to Vote on Climate

Posted June 26, 2009 at 5:48pm

Correction Appended

Democrats have called up their reserves as they try to eke out a victory on their massive climate change bill, including bringing a Member out of rehab and another back from rehabilitation.Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) returned to the chamber Friday night, his first appearance there since undergoing back surgery early last week. Likewise, Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.) also made a surprise appearance on the House floor on Friday. The Rhode Island lawmaker, who has had a long-running struggle with substance abuse, checked himself into rehab earlier this month.And while some were coming back, others were declining to leave. Rep. Ellen Tauscher (D-Calif.), confirmed by the Senate on Thursday night for a top State Department post, delayed resigning her seat, hanging back to preside over debate on the bill and cast a vote for it.