Sen. Dianne Feinstein, California Democrat, is returning to Washington on Tuesday for the first time since being diagnosed with shingles in February.
Her return is not a moment too soon for Senate Democrats’ one-seat majority as the fight with Republicans over raising the debt ceiling rages in Washington.
“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 Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat, 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.”
Ms. Feinstein’s office confirmed that she was en route Tuesday afternoon to Washington but declined to say whether she would attend that evening’s votes scheduled in the Senate.
The San Francisco Chronicle first reported Ms. Feinstein’s return.
The longtime senator’s absence caused her to miss dozens of votes, created deadlock over judicial nominees and ignited a national conversation over the 89-year-old’s mental and physical fitness to continue serving out her term that ends in 2025.
Ms. Feinstein is not seeking reelection next year, but she rebuffed calls from some House Democrats and liberal activists for her to relinquish the seat that she’s held for more than 30 years.
Her absence from the Senate Judiciary Committee created a 10-10 split on the panel that imperiled several of President Biden’s judicial nominees who lacked bipartisan support. Republicans blocked Democrats’ attempt to temporarily replace her on the committee.
While patience was wearing thin for Ms. Feinstein to recover from her illness and return for the looming debt-limit battle, Washington insiders have for years questioned her cognitive ability to continue performing her public office duties.
• Ramsey Touchberry can be reached at rtouchberry@washingtontimes.com.
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