Sen. Byrd's Death Puts Sen. Inouye Third in Line of Succession to the Presidency
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Sen. Byrd, D-WV, was President Pro Tempore of the Senate, meaning he was 3rd in the line of succession to the presidency after Vice President Biden and then Speaker Pelosi, D-CA.
The position goes to the longest serving member of the Senate in the Majority party.
With Byrd's death, his longtime friend, Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye, D-HI, a WWII veteran, takes over now, with 47 years of service under his belt.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Inouye was third in the line of seniority last year, but with the passing of Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-MA, the second most senior Democrat, Inouye moves up.