Senator Dianne Feinstein Dies at 90

Prominent U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein of California, a centrist Democrat who championed liberal causes and shattered gender barriers during her illustrious career in both local and national politics, passed away at the age of 90 on Thursday night at her residence in Washington, D.C. 

Heartfelt tributes poured in throughout the day from colleagues on both sides of the aisle as well as from leaders from around the world.

Feinstein’s remarkable career in public service spanned over five decades. Prior to her tenure in the United States Senate, she achieved historic milestones in San Francisco’s political landscape, becoming San Francisco’s first woman mayor and, before that, the first woman to hold the position of president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. 

Feinstein’s historic ascension to the position of mayor in 1978 was a response to a tragic period in the city’s history following the double assassination at City Hall, where Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in the city, were brutally gunned down by a fellow politician, Dan White, a disgruntled former supervisor. 

Feinstein’s leadership during this challenging time was instrumental in guiding the city through the aftermath of these devastating events and helping to restore a sense of stability and unity to San Francisco.

During her tenure as the mayor of San Francisco, Feinstein garnered acclaim for her resolute efforts in allocating significantly more funding to combat the AIDS epidemic within the city than the entire federal government was providing at that time. 

Her leadership in addressing this critical public health crisis demonstrated her dedication to prioritizing the welfare of her constituents and her ability to mobilize resources for pressing issues.

In 1992, Feinstein secured her seat in the U.S. Senate, marking the beginning of her distinguished career in the upper chamber of Congress. Throughout her tenure, she emerged as a fervent champion for a diverse array of issues, legislative legacy was undeniably marked by her unwavering position on gun control legislation and her pragmatic approach to bipartisanship, which at times stirred controversy within her own party and led to clashes with younger, more progressive members. 

These causes and her willingness to take a leading role in shaping legislation on these topics made her a prominent figure in national politics and a respected voice in the Senate.

President Joe Biden, who had served alongside Feinstein in the Senate for many years, hailed her as “a pioneering American” and a “cherished friend.” 

In a statement Biden said, “Dianne made her mark on everything from national security to the environment to protecting civil liberties. Our country will benefit from her legacy for generations to come.”

Upon opening the Senate floor, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer solemnly declared, “We lost a giant in the Senate. As the nation mourns this tremendous loss, we acknowledge the profound impact she had on countless lives and the numerous glass ceilings she shattered along the way.” Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said, “Dianne was a trailblazer, and her beloved home state of California and our entire nation are better for her dogged advocacy and diligent service.”

Feinstein’s passing followed a prolonged absence earlier this year when she battled shingles for more than two months, drawing frustration from her most ardent liberal critics. During her absence, an unsuccessful attempt was made by Democrats to temporarily replace her on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Upon her return to the Senate in May, she was frail and reliant on a wheelchair, casting votes only on occasion.

On Friday, her Senate desk was draped in black and adorned with a vase of white roses. Senators offered tearful tributes while members of the California House delegation stood at the back of the chamber, and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sat in the gallery alongside Feinstein’s daughter, Katherine.Former President Barack Obama also celebrated Feinstein as “a trailblazer,” and former President Bill Clinton commended her as a champion “of civil rights and civil liberties, environmental protection, and strong national security.”

On Saturday, a U.S. military plane transported Feinstein’s body from Andrews Air Force Base near Washington, D.C., to San Francisco. Joining the journey home were the senator’s longtime friend and colleague, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, as well as the senator’s daughter, Katherine Feinstein, and her chief of staff, James Sauls. As of now, the details regarding Feinstein’s memorial and funeral plans have not been officially announced.

Pelosi expressed profound admiration for Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s enduring and tireless leadership and noted that Feinstein’s unwavering commitment had a profound impact on various crucial aspects, including national security, personal safety, public health, environmental well-being, and the vitality of American democracy. Said Polosi, “We were not only colleagues, but neighbors and friends.”

In light of Feinstein’s death, California Governor Gavin Newsom will appoint a temporary replacement, setting the stage for a spirited contest to determine her successor.