Many people close to Feinstein described seeing her operating in the Senate in her current state as “frightening,” a tragic end to a formidable career in politics that they worry is casting a shadow over her legacy and her achievements.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein on Capitol Hill in Washington, Nov. 29, 2022.
The grim tableau of her reemergence on Capitol Hill laid bare a bleak reality known to virtually everyone who has come into contact with her in recent days: She was far from ready to return to work when she did, and she is now struggling to function in a job that demands long days, near-constant engagement on an array of crucial policy issues and high-stakes decision-making.
But after her latest illness, even some of Feinstein’s longtime allies have grown deeply uneasy about her situation. At home in San Francisco during her recovery, Feinstein refused to have contact with California lawmakers who tried checking in with her. A call from Newsom on her personal phone was answered by an aide and went unreturned. An offer of an in-person visit from Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., was flatly rejected. Even some family members who wanted to see her were turned away.
With Feinstein’s return, Senate Democrats were able to advance three of Biden’s judicial nominees whose approval by the Judiciary Committee had been delayed because of her absence, which deprived her party of the majority it needed to move forward in the face of Republican opposition. Democrats greeted her in the committee with a standing ovation.
Feinstein flew on a chartered private plane last week to return to Washington, accompanied by her dog, her longtime housekeeper and Nancy Corinne Prowda, the eldest daughter of Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California, the former House speaker who has been a longtime friend of Feinstein’s and has been practically living at her house during her recovery.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein suffered previously undisclosed complications from shinglesNEW: Sen. Dianne Feinstein experienced more complications than were publicly disclosed from a recent case of shingles that left her absent from Washington for nearly three months, a person familiar with her situation says.
Read more »
Dianne Feinstein suffered brain inflammation as complication from shingles, aide confirmsCalifornia Sen. Dianne Feinstein suffered complications from shingles that included Ramsay Hunt syndrome and encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain, her office confirms.
Read more »
Dianne Feinstein suffered brain inflammation as complication from shingles, aide confirmsCalifornia Sen. Dianne Feinstein suffered complications from shingles that included Ramsay Hunt syndrome and encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain, her office confirmed on Thursday.
Read more »