Sen. Dianne Feinstein returned to the Capitol on Wednesday to solid her first vote within the Senate since taking an prolonged absence due to an sickness that threatened Democrats’ slim majority and led to mounting requires her resignation.
Feinstein, who at 89 is the eldest sitting senator, was wheeled onto the Senate flooring in a wheelchair that she might at instances require to journey across the Capitol as she works “a lighter schedule,” her workplace stated in a press release. Movies on Twitter confirmed Feinstein emerging from a car outside the Senate building, the place she was helped right into a wheelchair and greeted by Senate Majority Chief Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.).
On Wednesday afternoon, Feinstein voted sure on the affirmation of Glenna Wright-Gallo to be the assistant secretary for particular training and rehabilitative providers, which handed 52 to 45.
Feinstein returned to Washington on Tuesday after a months-long absence as a result of shingles virus. In a press release launched by her workplace Wednesday, Feinstein stated she’s made some “important progress” however nonetheless is experiencing some unwanted effects, together with imaginative and prescient and stability points.
“I’ve returned to Washington and am ready to renew my duties within the Senate,” Feinstein stated. “The Senate faces many necessary points, however essentially the most urgent is to make sure our authorities doesn’t default on its monetary obligations. I additionally look ahead to resuming my work on the Judiciary Committee contemplating the president’s judicial nominees.
“My docs have suggested me to work a lighter schedule as I return to the Senate. I’m hopeful these points will subside as I proceed to get well,” she stated.
The California Democrat additionally expressed gratitude for the well-wishes she obtained and for the care she obtained from her workforce of docs in San Francisco.
Feinstein was briefly hospitalized in San Francisco in February with the virus and stated she had hoped to be again in Washington by late March, however she remained at residence in restoration. Feinstein labored whereas she recuperated, her spokesperson Adam Russell stated on the time, however she couldn’t solid a vote with out being on the Senate flooring or in committee, complicating the affirmation of President Biden’s judicial and administrative nominees.
Her absence finally led to an outcry from some corners of the Democratic Social gathering for Feinstein to step apart, together with from Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Fremont) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.). Final month, Feinstein had requested for an additional Democrat to quickly be appointed to the panel in her place, however Republicans rejected that effort.
Feinstein has contended with questions on her well being and skill to serve for a number of years, together with considerations about whether or not she was up for the psychological rigor of high-profile positions. Feinstein stated she is not going to run for reelection subsequent 12 months however plans to satisfy her time period, which ends in early 2025, then retire.
Instances employees writers Melanie Mason, Benjamin Oreskes and Kwasi Gyamfi Asiedu contributed to this report.