Edward Kennedy Dies

Senator Edward Kennedy, the liberal lion of the Senate, has died of brain cancer. He was 77. He is irreplaceable, and he will be sorely missed.

Capitol Hill Update X

Sen. Edward Kennedy, recovering from brain cancer surgery last month, got special permission to fly back to the U.S. Senate to cast the deciding vote on a bill that would cancel a schedule cut to doctors who treat Medicare patients. The House had already passed the measure, but the White House opposes it.

Unsurprisingly, the Senate followed the House in capitulating to President Bush on granting immunity to telecommunications companies who helped in the NSA's illegal spy program.

Also not surprising, Karl Rove is ignoring his subpoena and refusing to testify in front of Capitol Hill. Rove faces allegations that he influenced the prosecution of a former Democratic governor of Alabama, Don Siegelman.

Lastly, the Senate passed a "mammoth" housing rescue bill that now goes back to the House of Representatives which had passed a different version. President Bush is expected to sign the legislation.

UPDATE: Congress overrides Bush veto on Medicare legislation.