According to Kennedy's aides, the Senator from Massachusetts will be back at his second home in Washington this afternoon in "a sign that his treatments have been progressing well." It's also a positive sign that Senator Kennedy intends to keep the promise he made to the country in Denver two months ago.
His spokesperson, Melissa Wagoner, announced that "His doctors are very pleased with his progress..." We are very pleased as well. Barack Obama has his work cut out for him cleaning up after Bush, but his load just got a little lighter with this news.
Senator Kennedy's treatments will continue in DC. This will be the first time he's been in the Senate since July, when he cast a tiebreaking vote on Medicare legislation.
Youtube video courtesy of ScottyUrb (by way of TPM):
Hat tip leckavrea for video from Boston.com:
Huffington Post also has video of his return (h/t jj32).
And see TomP's comment for video of Kennedy's storied 1980 speech.
Update: Here's a statement Kennedy just released:
"It’s good to be back in the Senate. I am particularly looking forward to seeing my staff and my colleagues and to working in the current brief session on a realistic new stimulus package to help our fellow Americans who are suffering in this economic crisis. "I will also continue to lay the ground work for early action by Congress on health reform when President Obama takes office in January. We’ve been making real progress in our discussions about a consensus approach, and I’m optimistic we’ll succeed. "I am grateful for the prayers and good wishes I’ve received over the past several months. They have certainly lifted my spirits, as has the election of Barack Obama as our 44th President."
"It’s good to be back in the Senate. I am particularly looking forward to seeing my staff and my colleagues and to working in the current brief session on a realistic new stimulus package to help our fellow Americans who are suffering in this economic crisis.
"I will also continue to lay the ground work for early action by Congress on health reform when President Obama takes office in January. We’ve been making real progress in our discussions about a consensus approach, and I’m optimistic we’ll succeed.
"I am grateful for the prayers and good wishes I’ve received over the past several months. They have certainly lifted my spirits, as has the election of Barack Obama as our 44th President."
His historic promise in Denver follows: