Regulations and Government
User-fee supporter takes key Senate post
When 91-year-old Sen.

When 91-year-old Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) relinquished his chairmanship of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee late last year, the domino effect thrust Sen. John Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.) into the chairmanship of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.

Byrd agreed to step down from Appropriations because of his failing health, triggering musical chairs in the Senate hierarchy. Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), 84, who had been chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, replaced Byrd on Appropriations.