Byrd’s Coffin Arrives at Capitol
Sen. Robert Byrd’s family greeted a black hearse carrying the late Senator’s body at the Capitol on Thursday.
Mourners including Vice President Joseph Biden were set to follow Byrd’s flag-draped coffin into the Senate chamber, where it will lie in repose for much of the day. The Senate is out of session for the day’s events, but Members are expected to join Chaplain Barry Black at 10:30 a.m. for a prayer.
Byrd’s body will be flown to Charleston, W.Va., Thursday evening. He will lie in state in the West Virginia Capitol until Friday morning. President Barack Obama, Biden and a Congressional delegation including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) are expected to attend a celebration of Byrd’s life in Charleston on Friday. Obama and Biden are expected to speak at the service.