Ted Kennedy makes a dramatic return to politics after brain surgery ... to help defeat Bush

Senator Edward Kennedy made a dramatic comeback to U.S. politics on Wednesday, just weeks after having surgery on a brain tumour.

He helped Democrats pass health care legislation opposed by the White House.

With Kennedy's surprise appearance, he and fellow Democrats overcome the Republican opposition and, on a voice vote, passed the measure earlier approved by the House of Representatives.

"Aye," declared a smiling Kennedy of Massachusetts - a Democratic icon, the party's leading liberal voice and a longtime champion of expanding health care.

Democratic as well as Republican colleagues applauded.

"Win, lose or draw, I wanted to be here. I wasn't going to take the chance that my vote could make the difference," Kennedy said after the vote.