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The
89-year-old lawmaker had been sidelined since February as she
recovered from a bout of shingles, which had led to calls from
some fellow Democrats that she step aside and allow someone else
to take her place.
“I’m glad that my friend Dianne is back in the Senate and ready
to roll up her sleeves and get to work," Senate Majority Leader
Chuck Schumer said in a statement. "After talking with her
multiple times over the past few weeks, it’s clear she’s back
where she wants to be and ready to deliver for California.”
Feinstein was first elected in 1992, nicknamed the "year of the
women," which saw the number of women U.S. senators double and
California become the first state represented by two women:
Feinstein and fellow Democrat Barbara Boxer.
Feinstein had previously served as mayor of San Francisco.
Feinstein's absence had deadlocked the Senate Judiciary
Committee she sits on, slowing Democrats' drive to approve some
of President Joe Biden's most controversial nominees to vacant
federal court positions, leading to a partial Republican
blockade.
Her extended leave had prompted some Democrats, notably
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, to call for her
resignation.
Democrats' worries were heightened as lawmakers have been
arguing over raising the nation's borrowing authority. Feinstein
could provide crucial support for whatever debt limit bill comes
before the Senate, which would avert a first-ever default on
U.S. debt.
(Reporting by Richard Cowan; Additional reporting by Jasper Ward
and Dan Whitcomb; Editing by Scott Malone, Alistair Bell, Tim
Ahmann and Leslie Adler)
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