(LibertySociety.com) – After being absent from the Senate since early March 2023, Senator Dianne Feinstein, D-CA, is back to work on Capitol Hill, but cautioned in a statement that she will “work a lighter schedule,” adding that she is not completely recovered from shingles. She was initially hospitalized for the virus in February 2023 while Congress was not in session, but was released to recover at home on March 7th, 2023, where she has remained up until now. In her statement, she expressed gratitude to her colleagues and medical team.
As she sits on the Judiciary Committee, Senator Feinstein’s absence has hindered the Biden administration’s agenda of confirming judicial appointments. Her statement also mentioned her eagerness to resume the duty of “considering the president’s judicial nominees,” while also noting the debt ceiling negotiations. However, certain lawmakers have recently called on her to resign for not being able to perform the duties of her position, including Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA). Other Democrats who have supported the idea of her resignation include Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).
Senator Feinstein, who is 89 years old, began her service in the Senate in 1992, and announced on February 14th, 2023, that she would be retiring after her term ends in 2025, opening her seat to many eager candidates. Representatives Adam Schiff, Katie Porter, and Barbara Lee have all entered their names into the race, as well as Hollywood actor Ben Savage. A lone Republican, Eric Early, also recently launched a long-shot campaign. Rep. Schiff is the clear frontrunner for the seat, but the candidates have yet to begin campaigning against one another, which could shake things up.
Senator Feinstein has been in politics for over seventy years, with a ten-year service as the Mayor of San Francisco, California. Along with the important Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Feinstein also served on the Senate Intelligence Committee.
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