Dianne Feinstein returns to DC after three months away

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) is back in Washington and could return to voting in the Senate as soon as Tuesday night, her spokesperson confirmed to HuffPost.

News was first reported by the San Francisco Chronicle on Tuesday.

Feinstein has not voted in the Senate since mid-February, when he contracted shingles. His recovery of months and his absence have slowed down democrats‘ ability to do business, given their tight majority of 51-49. In particular, the time away from him has been felt in the Senate Judiciary Committee, with Democrats unable to promote some of the president’s posts. Joe BidenThe judicial nominees without her there.

The 89-year-old veteran senator will retire at the end of next year. But in the midst of his absence, some House Democrats, including representatives. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Rashida Tlaib (Michigan) and Ro Khanna (California), have called on him to resign now to ensure his position is actively filled so Democrats can move forward with the judges’ confirmation of Biden.

No Senate Democrat has called on Feinstein to retire early, despite concerns about his health and not knowing when he will return. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (DN.Y.) responded to questions about the impact of his absence by simply wishing him a speedy recovery.

“I’m glad my friend Dianne is back in the Senate and ready to roll up her sleeves and get to work,” Schumer said in a statement Tuesday. “After speaking with her multiple times over the past few weeks, it’s clear that she’s back where she wants to be and ready to meet California.”

On Thursday, Feinstein issued a defiant statement in response to people who suggested that her absence has slowed Democrats’ progress in advancing Biden’s race on court.

“There has been no slowdown,” Feinstein said, pointing instead to republicans for preventing some nominees from moving forward with the Judiciary Committee.

His office released a list of district and circuit court nominees who have been confirmed in their absence, with more nominees who have bipartisan support awaiting consideration on the full Senate. However, four nominees on that list do not have bipartisan support on the committee, and Democrats have been unable to promote them without Feinstein.