Post by Admin on Oct 6, 2023 12:15:15 GMT -4
U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein Dead at 90
U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein has died from natural causes at age 90. The Associated Press was first to report her death on Friday, Sept. 29.
The Democratic senator from California suffered from health problems and was confined to a wheelchair after a fall at home.
Feinstein was the oldest sitting U.S. senator. She was often confused when answering questions from the news media. But her staff denied reports that she had dementia.
Feinstein was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1969 and became its first female president in 1978.
Feinstein became San Francisco’s first female mayor after Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk were gunned down by a disgruntled former city employee.
Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown said Feinstein’s handling of the assassinations demonstrated her ability to lead “in the face of total and complete disaster.”
Feinstein was one of California’s first two female senators. She became the first woman to head the Senate Intelligence Committee and the first woman to serve as the Judiciary committee’s top Democrat.
Feinstein’s third husband, Richard Blum, died in February 2022. She is survived by her daughter, a granddaughter and three stepchildren.
Butler sworn in as third Black female senator in US history, replaces late California Sen. Feinstein
Laphonza Butler was appointed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday, two days after Feinstein died at age 90 at her home in Washington
Former union leader and Democratic insider Laphonza Butler was sworn in as the newest member of the Senate on Tuesday, replacing California Sen. Dianne Feinstein after her death and becoming only the third Black female senator in history.
Butler was appointed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday, just two days after Feinstein died at her home in Washington. Butler is a longtime fundraiser and strategist in the state’s Democratic circles and was the head of Emily’s List, a national organization that raises money for women candidates who support abortion rights.
The new senator was sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris, who served as the second Black female senator until she resigned in 2021 to join President Joe Biden in the White House. The first was Democratic Sen. Carol Moseley Braun of Illinois, who served one term in the 1990s.
With dozens of supporters and family members looking down from the gallery, Butler smiled broadly as she walked down the center aisle of the Senate alongside Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla of California and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. After Harris administered the oath of office, members of the Senate from both parties crowded around her to shake her hand.
Schumer, D-N.Y., said that “today, the Senate takes another step towards fully reflecting our vibrant democracy.”
He said Butler has “dedicated her entire career to fighting for others - fighting for women, fighting for working families and fighting for the cause of justice.”
After she was sworn in, Biden called her to congratulate her, the White House said.
U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein has died from natural causes at age 90. The Associated Press was first to report her death on Friday, Sept. 29.
The Democratic senator from California suffered from health problems and was confined to a wheelchair after a fall at home.
Feinstein was the oldest sitting U.S. senator. She was often confused when answering questions from the news media. But her staff denied reports that she had dementia.
Feinstein was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1969 and became its first female president in 1978.
Feinstein became San Francisco’s first female mayor after Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk were gunned down by a disgruntled former city employee.
Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown said Feinstein’s handling of the assassinations demonstrated her ability to lead “in the face of total and complete disaster.”
Feinstein was one of California’s first two female senators. She became the first woman to head the Senate Intelligence Committee and the first woman to serve as the Judiciary committee’s top Democrat.
Feinstein’s third husband, Richard Blum, died in February 2022. She is survived by her daughter, a granddaughter and three stepchildren.
Butler sworn in as third Black female senator in US history, replaces late California Sen. Feinstein
Laphonza Butler was appointed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday, two days after Feinstein died at age 90 at her home in Washington
Former union leader and Democratic insider Laphonza Butler was sworn in as the newest member of the Senate on Tuesday, replacing California Sen. Dianne Feinstein after her death and becoming only the third Black female senator in history.
Butler was appointed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday, just two days after Feinstein died at her home in Washington. Butler is a longtime fundraiser and strategist in the state’s Democratic circles and was the head of Emily’s List, a national organization that raises money for women candidates who support abortion rights.
The new senator was sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris, who served as the second Black female senator until she resigned in 2021 to join President Joe Biden in the White House. The first was Democratic Sen. Carol Moseley Braun of Illinois, who served one term in the 1990s.
With dozens of supporters and family members looking down from the gallery, Butler smiled broadly as she walked down the center aisle of the Senate alongside Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla of California and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. After Harris administered the oath of office, members of the Senate from both parties crowded around her to shake her hand.
Schumer, D-N.Y., said that “today, the Senate takes another step towards fully reflecting our vibrant democracy.”
He said Butler has “dedicated her entire career to fighting for others - fighting for women, fighting for working families and fighting for the cause of justice.”
After she was sworn in, Biden called her to congratulate her, the White House said.
