Senate Democrats Lose Majority With Feinstein Hospitalization

A 89-year old lawmaker has announced that she is being treated for shingles.

On Thursday, Senator Dianne Feinstein (D. Calif.), announced that she has shingles. Democrats temporarily lost their upper-chamber majority. Sen. John Fetterman (D. Pa.) is still being treated for depression.

“I was diagnosed over the February recess with a case of shingles. I have been hospitalized and am receiving treatment in San Francisco and expect to make a full recovery,” The statement was made by the 89-year old senator from California. “I hope to return to the Senate later this month.”

This announcement means that Democrats temporarily lose their majority. The Senate is split 49-49. They may need to use Vice President Kamala Harris for tie votes. This week, the vice president broke A tie is necessary to confirm President Joe Biden’s judicial appointment for the second consecutive time.

Since February, Fetterman was in the hospital on and off. After experiencing lightheadedness, Fetterman was rushed to Walter Reed Medical Center. “severe” His office has diagnosed clinical depression. This diagnosis raises concerns questions About the doctor’s notes Fetterman used to prove that he was able to perform his duties as senator

Fox News reports that the absences will slow down Democrats’ rapid approvals of Biden judicial selections. reports:

“The danger of having such a small majority is that one or two illnesses can bring things to a halt. The administration has been aggressive and effective on judicial nominees, but that’s all on hold for now,” Fox News Digital spoke with Doug Heye, a political strategist. …

The president and his close aides celebrated the rapid-paced court confirmations over Biden’s two years of office. After the first two years of Biden’s tenure, Democrats felt buoyant this month. Confirmation of 100 nominees for judicial office Lifetime appointments. According to the Brookings Institute analysis, Biden received more confirmations from the Senate in his first year than any president since President Kennedy.