U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein of California has died, the Associated Press reported. She was 90 years old.
Feinstein died on Thursday night at her home in Washington, D.C.
Feinstein’s chief of staff, James Sauls, said in a statement, “Sadly, Senator Feinstein passed away last night at her home in Washington, D.C. Her passing is a great loss for so many, from those who loved and cared for her to the people of California that she dedicated her life to serving. Senator Feinstein never backed away from a fight for what was just and right. At the same time, she was always willing to work with anyone, even those she disagreed with, if it meant bettering the lives of Californians or the betterment of our nation. There are few women who can be called senator, chairman, mayor, wife, mom and grandmother. Senator Feinstein was a force of nature who made an incredible impact on our country and her home state. She left a legacy that is undeniable and extraordinary. There is much to say about who she was and what she did, but for now, we are going to grieve the passing of our beloved boss, mentor and friend.”
Feinstein was born on June 22, 1933, and was the oldest sitting U.S. Senator. Many leaders had expressed concern about her health in the past few years and questioned if she was fit to continue to work as a Senator. Feinstein stepped down as the top Democrat on the Judiciary panel after the 2020 elections. In February, she announced that she planned to retire at the end of 2024 when her term was up.
Elected to the Senate in 1992, Feinstein was seen as more of a centrist Democrat and was known to work to find common ground with Republicans.
“In San Francisco, she showed enormous poise and courage in the wake of tragedy and became a powerful voice for American values. Serving in the Senate together for more than 15 years, I had a front-row seat to what Dianne was able to accomplish,” President Joe Biden said in a statement. “Dianne made her mark on everything from national security to the environment to protecting civil liberties. She’s made history in so many ways, and our country will benefit from her legacy for generations.”
“As we mourn with her daughter Katherine and the Feinstein family, her team in the Senate, and the people of California, we take comfort that Dianne is reunited again with her beloved Richard. May God Bless Dianne Feinstein.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer wrote on X, “Sen. Dianne Feinstein was a friend, a hero, a leader who changed the Senate and America for the better. Mourning this tremendous loss—we’re comforted in knowing how many mountains she moved, lives she impacted, glass ceilings she shattered. America’s a better place because of her.”
