Dianne Feinstein death - latest: Tributes pour in for California senator
For over 30 years, Feinstein served in Senate representing the state of California
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Your support makes all the difference.Dianne Feinstein, the California Senator who served in Congress for over three decades, died on Thursday evening at 90 years old, her office confirmed in a statement.
First elected to the US Senate in 1992, Feinstein was a trailblazer for women becoming the first woman mayor of San Francisco and then going on to be one of the first women to represent California in Congress.
Feinstein was the longest-serving woman in the Senate.
Celebrities, politicians and more paid tribute to Feinstein on social media following news of her passing.
Former Speaker of the House and California rep Nancy Pelosi fondly reflected on Feinstein’s life in a statement, saying they were “not only colleagues, but neighbours and friends.”
“Her indomitable, indefatigable leadership made a magnificent difference for our national security and personal safety, the health of our people and our planet, and the strength of our Democracy,” Ms Pelosi said.
Hillary Clinton said Feinstein “blazed trails for women in politics and found a life’s calling in public service.”
In recent years, Feinstein’s health had deteriorated leading to some questions about her ability to serve in government, however, she refused to step down.
Last known photo of Dianne Feinstein shows senator standing and smiling
Just hours before Senator Dianne Feinstein died, she was photographed smiling and standing alongside a friend and former representative Jane Harman.
Ms Harman, a close friend of Feinstein and former colleague, told MSNBC she went to Feinstein’s home last night to see her because she missed her.
“I went there because I miss her,” Ms Harman said. “We’ve hosted and tried to host a number of things for her and sometimes she wasn’t up to it. The most recent one she passed and I just had to see her.”
Ms Harman and Feinstein have known each other since the 1970s or 80s when Feinstein served as mayor of San Francisco. They were elected to Congress in the same year, 1992.
“I felt in her last years that she was unfairly treated and I was going to be sure that I did absolutely everything I could, not just to show my love, but to show the country that she still had more to contribute.”
The two sat down in Feinstein’s study at her home for a private meeting regarding the future of the country. As Ms Harman was leaving, she said she asked Feinstein’s housekeeper to capture a photo of the two close friends together.
“Lucky me, I got to hug and kiss her and tell her I loved her after everyone else,” Ms Harman said.
VOICES: From finding Harvey Milk to trailblazing in the Senate - the life of Dianne Feinstein
“Dianne Feinstein leaves behind a legacy as a trailblazer with a laundry list of historic firsts along her path to becoming the oldest and longest-serving woman Senator. A longtime advocate of civil rights, women’s reproductive rights, environmental issues, and gun reform, Feinstein’s impact on the nation and her home state of California is undeniable. Feinstein’s last few years in office were plagued with ailing health and calls for her to resign, but her life and career are defined by much more than that.
Feinstein’s journey in politics began in San Francisco. She was the first woman president of San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors, and in that role, a tragedy tested her. She rose to the occasion. On November 27, 1978, Dan White, a former member of the Board of Supervisors, climbed through a City Hall window and assassinated Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk.
It was Dianne Feinstein who discovered Milk’s body, attempting in vain to save his life. She then faced the daunting task of informing the public about the tragic deaths, revealing that the suspect was Dan White. This series of events thrust Feinstein into the role of acting mayor. She later became the first woman elected mayor of San Francisco, serving for a decade during the height of the AIDS crisis in the 1980s, where she funded research and treatment.”
Ahmed Baba writes:
From finding Harvey Milk to trailblazing in the Senate - the life of Dianne Feinstein
On her very last day on Earth, Feinstein was working in the Senate chamber she helped shape for three decades
California senator shares touching memory of Dianne Feinstein
Alex Padilla, the other senator from California, gave a moving speech about his colleague, Dianne Feinstein in the chambers on Friday – sharing how she supported him when he was sworn into the Senate in January 2021.
Mr Padilla said just weeks after January 6, he was sworn into the Senate under unprecedented circumstances with the chambers being on high-security alert and adhering to Covid protocols.
Due to this Mr Padilla did not have his wife and children with him for his swearing-in to Senate.
“Big day for me. Tough day not having Angela and my boys by my side,” Mr Padilla said.
“She honored me by escorting me down the center aisle to the rostrum and stood behind me as I was sworn in,” Mr Padilla said.
As soon as the session was over, Mr Padilla said Feinstein took him by the hand and brought him to a private area where she asked how she could support him. Mr Padilla asked to call his wife and children, and when he did Feinsten got on the phone to speak with them too.
“I’m watching Senator Feinstein FaceTime with my kids. ‘So proud of your dad’, ‘when are you coming to Washington’, ‘I will buy you lunch’ that was Dianne Feinstein,” Mr Padilla said with tears down his face.
Biden commemorates Senator Feinstein as ‘pioneering’ and ‘a true trailblazer’
President Joe Biden on Friday commemorated the late California senator Dianne Feinstein as a “historic figure, “a trailblazer for women,” and “a great friend” following her death at age 90.
Speaking at a retirement ceremony for the outgoing Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, Mr Biden said the late senator “made her mark in everything from national security, to the environment. to gun safety, to protecting civil liberties”.
“The country is going to miss her dearly,” he said, adding later that he’d have more to say about her later on Friday.
Mr Biden, who served alongside Feinstein in the Senate from 1993 to when he became vice president in 2009, recalled in a statement how she’d “showed enormous poise and courage in the wake of tragedy” when she rose to national prominence after the 1978 assassinations of San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and City Supervisor Harvey Milk catapulted her into the mayor’s office, and said the late senator became “a powerful voice for American values”.
Andrew Feinberg reports:
Biden commemorates Senator Feinstein as ‘pioneering’ and ‘a true trailblazer’
The late senator passed away on Friday at age 90
Republican senators pay tribute to Dianne Feinstein
Though Senator Dianne Feinstein was a Democrat, her legacy impacted people from all political parties, including Republicans.
Upon hearing of her death on Friday, Republican senators sent condolences to Feinstein’s family as well as shared a message of love and admiration for Feinstein who held onto her Senate seat for more than 30 years.
Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley wrote on X/Twitter that Feinstein “did an outstanding job” representing the people of California.
“During the time I was chair and she was ranking Democrat we had a wonderful working relationship. She’s a true public servant I’ll miss her,” Mr Grassley wrote.
South Carolina senator and 2024 presidential candidate Tim Scott said he was “saddened” to learn of her passing and called her “a true trailblazer.”
Marco Rubio, the senator from Florida called Feinstein “intelligent” and “hard working” adding that she always treated people with respect.
Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell, and Senate minority leader, called Feinstein “a true friend” and “impactful advocate” throughout her life in public service.
Ted Cruz fondly reflects on Dianne Feinstein
Texas Senator Ted Cruz put political affiliation aside when paying tribute to the late Senator Dianne Feinstein on Friday.
Taking to X/Twitter, Mr Cruz said he had the “privilege” or serving with Ms Feinstein for 11 years on the Senate Judiciary Committee and appreciated her work.
“I was always grateful for her commitment to the Committee and to the Senate,” Mr Cruz wrote. “She was a trailblazer for women, and our institution is the lesser for losing her.”
Mr Cruz acknowledged that the two were on different sides of the political spectrum but that Feinstein’s character was consistently respectful.
“We disagreed on many things, but that never stopped her from being collegial and courteous. Dianne was an old-school statesman, who embodied class and who fought to solve real problems for California. She will be missed,” Mr Cruz wrote.
Watch: Nancy Pelosi honors Sen. Dianne Feinstein with moment of silence
Former speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, honored her late friend and colleague, Dianne Feinstein, with a moment of silence in Congress on Friday.
George Santos and husband sends condolences to Feinstein family
George Santos, the controversial Republican representative of New York, sent sympathy to the Feinstein family after the death of Senator Dianne Feinstein on Friday.
My husband Matt and I are heart broken by the news of the passing of Senator Feinstein,” Mr Santos wrote on X/Twitter.
“Sen. Feinstein was a trail blazer who dedicated over 30 years of service to her country. Our condolences to the Feinstein family as they grief this grave loss,” he added.
San Francisco Pride calls Dianne Feinstein ‘a national icon'
San Francisco Pride, an LGBT+ organisation based in the city where Senator Dianne Feinstein served as mayor, honored the late politician with a statement.
“San Francisco Pride deeply grieves the profound loss of Senator Dianne Feinstein, a beloved native of San Francisco who stood unwaveringly as an ally to the LGBTQ+ community,” the organisation said.
Feinstein was a champion for LGBT+ rights, having supported legislation like the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and co-sponsoring the Equality Act to extend rights and protect them in the LGBT+ community
“A passionate advocate for the empowerment of women and marginalized individuals, Senator Feinstein wholeheartedly championed the LGBTQ+ community. Her unwavering courage was evident in her role as an original cosponsor of the Equality Act and as a lead sponsor of the Respect for Marriage Act. She steadfastly supported the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” May Senator Feinstein find eternal peace and may her legacy forever inspire us all,” San Francisco Pride said.
Dianne Feinstein’s final vote in the Senate
Senator Dianne Feinstein, who died on Thursday evening, took a final vote in the Senate earlier that same to try and very a government shutdown.
A video from CSPAN shows Feinstein voting on the chamber floor around noon.
She voted “Yes” in support of a temporary spending bill to extend current government funding.
In the video, Feinstein can be seen approaching the floor, without the use of a wheelchair or assist, and waving to people.
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