Global Courant 2023-05-11 11:25:33
Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California returned to the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday after being absent from the chamber for nearly three months following a diagnosis of shingles earlier this year.
Feinstein — the oldest serving senator at age 89 and the longest-serving female senator — was photographed Wednesday stepping out of a vehicle and into a wheelchair outside the Capitol, where she was greeted by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y.
With the help of her staff, Feinstein was then rolled into the Capitol while Schumer walked alongside her wheelchair. Her return to work restores the 51-49 majority of Senate Democrats.
Schumer confirmed the longtime senator’s return to D.C. in a statement Tuesday, saying he’s glad his “girlfriend Dianne is back in the Senate and ready to roll up her sleeves and get to work.”
SEN. DIANNE FEINSTEIN RETURNS TO WASHINGTON, DC AFTER MONTHS OF ABSENCE
Senator Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., will return to the Capitol on Wednesday after her absence from the chamber following a diagnosis of shingles. (Chip Somodevilla, Kevin Dietsch, Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
On March 2, Feinstein revealed she had been hospitalized in San Francisco with shingles, adding that she hoped to return to the Senate later that month.
“I was diagnosed with a case of shingles during February recess. I have been hospitalized and being treated in San Francisco,” Feinstein’s office shared with Fox News Digital at the time. “I hope to return to the Senate later this month.”
Senator Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., steps out of her vehicle as she returns to the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, DC, on Wednesday. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y., greets Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., as she returns to the Capitol in Washington, DC, on Wednesday. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Her nearly three-month absence led to calls from politicians on both sides of the aisle calling for the veteran senator to retire.
DIANNE FEINSTEIN ANNOUNCES SHE WILL NOT seek reelection in 2024
“It is time for (Feinstein) to step down. We must put country before personal loyalty,” Rep. wrote. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., on Twitter. “Although she has been in public service for a lifetime, it is clear that she can no longer fulfill her duties. Not speaking up undermines our credibility as elected representatives of the people.”
Senator Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., returns to Congress Wednesday, ending an absence of more than two months due to illness. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, DN.Y., also called for the senator’s resignation as several judicial nominations are pending in the Senate.
“Her refusal to retire or show up wreaks havoc on the judiciary — right where (reproductive) rights are being violated,” Ocasio-Cortez said during an interview. “That failure means Dems can now pass only GOP-approved nominees in this precious window.”
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, DN.Y., escorts Senator Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., as she arrives Wednesday at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. after an absence due to health concerns. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Feinstein, who took office in 1992 and is the longest-serving senator in California history, announced in February that she would not be seeking re-election in 2024.
Senator Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., arrives for the election of the Senate Democratic Caucus leaders at the Capitol in Washington, DC, on December 8, 2022. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
“I am announcing today that I will not be running for re-election in 2024, but that I intend to accomplish as much as I can for California through the end of next year when my term expires,” the senator wrote. on Twitter. “Even with a divided Congress, we can still pass bills that will improve lives.”
Before representing California in the U.S. Senate, Feinstein was San Francisco’s first female mayor.
Brandon Gillespie of Fox News and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
