Robert Carlyle Byr (born November 20, 1917) is the senior United States Senator from West Virginia and a member of the Democratic Party. Byrd has held the office since January 3, 1959. He has served as a Senator for &0000000000000049.00000049 years, &0000000000000163.000000163 days, making him the longest-serving member in the Senate's history. He is also the oldest current member of the United States Congress.