Feinstein updates on Senate return date.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein Returns to Capitol Hill After Months-Long Absence

Great news for Democrats! Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) is finally returning to Capitol Hill after a months-long absence due to health reasons. Her office confirmed that she is on her way back to Washington and could return to the Senate as early as Tuesday night.

A Critical Moment in the Fight Over the Debt Ceiling

This news comes at a critical moment in the fight between Democrats and Republicans over the debt ceiling. Officials are warning of a possible default happening as early as next month without a deal. The White House has scheduled a meeting with congressional leaders for Tuesday.

Feinstein’s Absence Resulted in a 10-10 Split Along Party Lines

Feinstein announced in early March that she had been diagnosed with shingles and has been recovering ever since. Because Feinstein is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, her absence resulted in a 10-10 split along party lines that rendered the panel unable to advance some of President Joe Biden’s nominees to federal courts around the nation.

Democrats Call for Feinstein’s Resignation

While Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has stuck by Feinstein, a small but growing number of Democrats have been publicly calling for her to resign, including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA). The New York Times editorial board recently piled on, saying Feinstein’s absence was “a failure that deprives American voters of full representation on legislation and appointments that will affect them for decades to come.”

Feinstein Expected to Advance Judicial Nominees Quickly Upon Her Return

Though Republicans kept the pressure going by blocking a bid to replace Feinstein on the Judiciary Committee, Feinstein released a statement last week that argued that there “has been no slowdown” with judicial nominees. Still, Feinstein said she was “disappointed” that Republicans on the committee have been blocking a few nominees from moving forward. Feinstein said she expected them to advance “quickly” upon her return.

Feinstein’s Age and Mental Fitness

At the age of 89, Feinstein is the Senate’s oldest member, and in recent years, some colleagues had already begun to raise concerns about her mental fitness. Feinstein announced in February she would not seek re-election in 2024. Three prominent House Democrats — Reps. Adam Schiff, Katie Porter, and Barbara Lee — have announced campaigns to replace Feinstein in the Senate.

• Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) is returning to Capitol Hill after a months-long absence due to health reasons.
• Her absence resulted in a 10-10 split along party lines that rendered the panel unable to advance some of President Joe Biden’s nominees to federal courts around the nation.
• A small but growing number of Democrats have been publicly calling for her to resign.
• Feinstein said she expected Republicans to advance judicial nominees “quickly” upon her return.
• Feinstein is the Senate’s oldest member, and in recent years, some colleagues had already begun to raise concerns about her mental fitness.

Let’s hope Sen. Feinstein’s return to Capitol Hill will help Democrats in their fight against Republicans over the debt ceiling and advance President Biden’s nominees to federal courts around the nation.

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