Sen. Dianne Feinstein returning to Washington after extended absence – By Los Angeles Times (Triblive) / May 9, 2023
Sen. Dianne Feinstein is flying back to Washington, her spokesman said Tuesday, after her extended absence because of the shingles virus threatened to derail Senate Democrats’ agenda.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Feinstein, who had been convalescing in the Bay Area since mid-February, boarded a charter private plane on Tuesday and could return to the Senate as early as this evening.
Adam Russell, a spokesman for the Democratic senator, confirmed she is in transit back to Washington but declined to comment further.
The senator’s protracted absence caused mounting heartburn for the Democratic majority, which has few votes to spare to confirm President Joe Biden’s Cabinet and judicial nominees, as well as potential legislation to avert a default on the national debt.
