Sen. Dianne Feinstein To Return To Senate

WASHINGTON, DC — Sen. Dianne Feinstein is returning to Washington after being away for nearly three months due to an illness, a spokesperson confirmed Tuesday, adding the senator would continue to serve on all her committee seats.

The 89-year-old Feinstein disclosed in March she had been diagnosed with shingles over the Senate’s February recess and had been hospitalized but expected to make a full recovery and return to work. This development came after she announced in mid-February she would not seek re-election in 2024 but intended to finish her current term.

The senator in April requested she be temporarily replaced on the Judiciary Committee after Democratic California Rep. Ro Khanna asked her to resign from the Senate. The replacement was blocked by Republicans.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez last week called for Feinstein to step down, CNN reported, while Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa said efforts to push Feinstein out of office were “anti-human." Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Democratic Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California suggested sexism was at play.

Feinstein’s absence, which comes as her health and memory have noticeably declined in recent years, means that some of President Joe Biden's picks for the federal bench are stalled in committee. Given her age and health problems, Feinstein is likely to face continued questions about her ability to serve.

If Feinstein decides to step down during her term, it would be up to Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom to fill the vacancy, potentially reordering the highly competitive race to succeed her. Newsom said in 2021 that he would nominate a Black woman to fill the seat if Feinstein were to step aside.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.