Sen. Byrd Released From Hospital

Sen. Robert Byrd was released from the hospital Thursday following a two-day stay to monitor and treat the symptoms of a potential infection.

The 91-year-old West Virginia Democrat said he "is looking forward to engaging in the upcoming debate and votes on health care reform -- one of the most critical issues facing this Congress."

After falling in his home Tuesday, Byrd was taken to the hospital as a "precautionary measure." But doctors found an elevated white-blood cell count which can be an early sign of an infection.

Byrd will continue his antibiotic treatment at his home and convalesce over the next few days, his office said in a press release.

Byrd has been mostly absent from the Senate this year. He was hospitalized in May and June with serious infections. But he returned to the Senate in July to vote and earlier this month, he paid tribute to the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, who died in August.