89-year-old Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein has missed 60 votes of the 82 taken in 2023.
Feinstein was hospitalized with shingles early last month, saying that she hopes to return to Washington “as soon as possible.” In February, Feinstein announced she will not be seeking a sixth term for office but does intend to serve out the rest of her term, which is set to end in January 2025.
Feinstein is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee that considers nominations to the federal courts, including the Supreme Court. As the Senate prepares to return on April 17, Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin (D-Illinois.) said that Feinstein’s absence from the Senate—and the Judiciary Committee specifically—will impede Democrats’ ability to confirm judicial nominees on Monday.
In a statement, Sen. Feinstein said, “I intend to return as soon as possible once my medical team advises that it’s safe for me to travel. In the meantime, I remain committed to the job and will continue to work from home in San Francisco.”
Vice President Kamala Harris has had to cast three tie-breaking votes this year in her role as president of the Senate as a result of Feinstein’s and Fetterman’s absences.
Some outlets are speculating on what her stepping down would look like and reporting call for her resignation.