Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D., Calif.) announced she’ll be taking it slow after returning to the Senate this week following a nearly three-month absence while dealing with shingles.
"I'm still experiencing side effects from the shingles virus," the 89-year-old senator said in a statement. "My doctors have advised me to work a lighter schedule as I return to the Senate."
Feinstein, who appeared at the Capitol in a wheelchair on Wednesday to cast a vote for the first time since Feb. 16, added she is "hopeful" her symptoms will subside. Her diagnosis was announced in early March and temporarily cost Democrats their majority as Sen. John Fetterman (D., Pa.) was out with depression until mid-April.
Feinstein’s hiatus created tension among Democrats. Her absence from the Judiciary Committee halted Biden's appointments altogether, leading some in her own party to call for her retirement.
Rep. Ro Khanna (D., Calif.) last month was the first to call for her resignation. He thanked Feinstein for "a lifetime of public service" but added that "it is obvious she can no longer fulfill her duties."
"She should know when it’s time to step aside," Khanna said.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) suggested such calls were sexist. "This has nothing to do with gender," Khanna responded when asked about her comments.
In April 2022, four Democratic officials, including three senators, said Feinstein's cognitive decline is too severe for her to finish her term. One member said they have known her for 15 years and had to reintroduce themselves during meetings.