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Ailing Sen. Kennedy Misses Sotomayor Vote

An ailing Sen. Edward Kennedy did not attend a vote on the confirmation of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court.

The Massachusetts Democrat was the only senator absent from Thursday's vote.

Kennedy, who was diagnosed with brain cancer last year, has been spending much of his time on the family's compound in Hyannis Port, Mass., as he undergoes treatment.

He has made increasingly infrequent trips to Washington and has devoted much of his time trying to pass legislation to expand access to health care.

Kennedy issued a statement in support of Sotomayor after President Obama announced her nomination.

Kennedy's office issued a statement Thursday saying the senator is doing well and "continues to balance his work on health reform with his treatment."

This program aired on August 6, 2009. The audio for this program is not available.

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