Senator Dianne Feinstein Returns to the Senate After Nearly Three-Month Absence Due to Health Issues

After a nearly three-month absence due to health issues, California Senator Dianne Feinstein is returning to the Senate. Feinstein, who is 89 years old and set to retire at the end of next year, has been absent since February 16th due to shingles. During her absence, she has missed 91 floor votes, according to an NBC News tally.

Feinstein’s absence has complicated Democratic efforts to confirm President Joe Biden’s nominees and issue subpoenas on a party-line vote. With Democrats holding just a single-seat advantage in the Senate, her absence has slowed the party’s ability to get business done. Her absence was most pronounced on the Judiciary Committee, where an 11-10 majority became a 10-10 stalemate.

Feinstein is expected to cast her first recorded vote since February 16th as soon as Tuesday night. An effort by Democrats to temporarily replace Feinstein with another senator was unsuccessful.

Feinstein has served in the Senate since 1992 and is the oldest sitting senator. She is the first woman to serve as the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the first woman to chair the Senate Intelligence Committee. Her return to the Senate is welcomed by her colleagues, who are eager to get back to business.