Feinstein back in US Senate, Dems regain majority.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein Returns to Work After Shingles Recovery

After a long recovery from shingles, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) returned to work on Tuesday, giving Democrats their majority on the Senate Judiciary Committee and a one-seat advantage in the full Senate.

Feinstein’s absence attracted criticism from within her party, with some House members calling for her resignation. However, she made an unusual request to be temporarily replaced on the Judiciary Committee due to complications from her recovery.

Feinstein Defends Her Ability to Carry Out Lawmaking Responsibilities

Despite facing questions about her cognition and memory in recent years, Feinstein has defended her ability to carry out her duties as a senator. In her absence, the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced eight nominees to final votes on the Senate floor.

Now, at 89 years old, Feinstein is the oldest sitting senator. But Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) expressed his pleasure at her return, saying she is “ready to roll up her sleeves and get to work.”

Feinstein’s Return to Congress

• Feinstein boarded a flight from California to Washington on Tuesday
• Her absence attracted criticism from within her party
• She made an unusual request to be temporarily replaced on the Judiciary Committee
• Republicans rejected her request, saying Democrats only want someone in her place to push through partisan judicial nominations
• Feinstein missed almost 100 floor votes during her absence
• The Senate Judiciary Committee was unable to move several nominees through the panel and canceled three straight markups
• Four nominations to fill vacant federal court positions require Feinstein’s presence to proceed

Despite the challenges she faced during her recovery, Feinstein is back where she wants to be and ready to deliver for California.