Sen. Dianne Feinstein dies at 90

Vice President Kamala Harris is remembering the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein, “one of the greatest public servants that California and our nation has ever known,” in a lengthy statement mourning her passing. 

“Dianne Feinstein broke barriers, inspired generations of women to run for office, and improved the lives of millions of Americans through her vision, courage, and leadership,” the statement read. 

Harris and Feinstein, once two serving senators from California, have shared a somewhat turbulent history.  

As San Francisco’s (Feinstein’s hometown) newly elected district attorney, Harris announced she would not seek the death penalty for a 21-year-old gang member who fatally shot a 29-year-old police officer in 2004. Feinstein, then a supporter of the death penalty, publicly rebuked Harris’ decision.

The relationship eventually leveled out, as Feinstein endorsed Harris’ 2016 run for the US Senate. But just years later Feinstein dismissed Harris’ candidacy for the 2020 nomination, suggesting she was “brand new” in the Senate at the time and opted to endorse Biden in 2019 — then seen as a major blow to Harris’ operation.

When Feinstein announced she would retire from the Senate earlier this year, Harris issued a lengthy statement, saying, “I had the opportunity to witness her enduring commitment to our constituents and our country.”

And the vice president’s statement today mirrored that language.

“For years, I witnessed Senator Feinstein's leadership, when the cameras were on and when they were off. In 2008, when I was re-elected District Attorney of San Francisco, it was Senator Feinstein who swore me in. As a United States Senator, it was my honor to serve the people of California alongside Senator Feinstein,” the statement read.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar has fond memories of serving in the Senate with Dianne Feinstein, someone she called a mentor to her and other women in politics.

"One of my fondest memories is staying overnight at her house in San Francisco after a political event, she invited me to stay there," Klobuchar told CNN. "At 7:30 in the morning, (she) summoned me. She was sitting up in bed with these fuzzy slippers on reading the entire draft Patent Reform Act."

She said Feinstein quizzed her on various parts of the bill, teaching her the importance of knowing the details.

“She got ahead because of true grit and her fierceness. She was not one to be that emotional all the time, I’ll be honest. She was one to base her decisions on facts and one to actually lead by example, and that’s what she did for so many women,” Klobuchar reflected.

Klobuchar said Feinstein was always looking out for other people and recalled that the California senator would give seersucker suits to women in the Senate that needed it.

"She called to get my measurements," Klobuchar said. "As she did for many women senators, she actually bought us a seersucker suit and when I look at that suit hanging in my closet, I think, 'Dianne did that for me.'"

Delaware Sen. Chris Coons also remembered Feinstein as “not just a trailblazer, but a door-opener for so many others who followed behind her," he told CNN.

Coons described his late colleague as “gracious and dignified; she was proper, she was always prepared but she was also fierce, determined, and incredibly capable.”

Women in the Senate are paying tribute to Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the longest-serving female senator in history, following her death at age 90.

Feinstein broke a series of glass ceilings throughout her life. She was a fixture of California politics for decades and was first elected to the US Senate in 1992 after a historic political career in San Francisco.

Sen. Katie Britt, a Republican from Alabama, noted that Feinstein created a "path for women in the Senate and girls across our nation."

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a Democrat from New York, said Feinstein was a leader for women's rights.

Sen. Marsha Blackburn, a Republican from Tennessee, said that despite their political differences, she enjoyed working with Feinstein on some bipartisan issues.

Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine, called the late senator a "good friend" in a message on social media.

"She leaves a lasting legacy not only in the legislation that she authored, but in the example that she set, particularly for other women. For so many years she was the senior woman in the Senate and she set an example for the rest of us," she later told CNN. 

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, an Independent from Arizona, called Feinstein a "titan in the U.S. Senate."

Sen. Debbie Stabenow, a Michigan Democrat, called Feinstein "an extraordinary American leader."

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Minnessota Democrat, called Feinstein "a monumental figure in Congress" who "paved the way for so many women to serve in the Senate."

 

Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said that he will do “whatever the rule say” when it comes to replacing the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein on the Senate Judiciary Committee, where Graham serves as the top Republican.  

“Whatever the rules are, that’s what I’ll do,” he said. “Whatever the rules say.”

Senate Republicans were opposed to Democrats temporarily replacing Feinstein on the committee during her extended absence in the spring.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken offered his condolences on the death of Sen. Dianne Feinstein and called her “a trailblazer in American politics.”

Blinken said Feinstein was “an influential voice for strengthening US national security and making it more inclusive, including through her leadership on the Intelligence Committee.”

He was speaking at a press conference with Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, US trade representative Katherine Tai, Mexican Foreign Secretary Alicia Barcena and Economy Minister Raquel Buenrostro.

“She was a strong advocate, as everyone here knows, for close ties with Mexico, just over the border from the state that she loved and served so admirably for decades,” Blinken said.

Former California Rep. Jane Harman met with the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein yesterday afternoon before the longtime senator's death at age 90.

"I probably had the last meeting with her," Harman said on CNN.

The two looked through photos at Feinstein's home and discussed the future for about an hour, Harman said. Feinstein showed Harman her schedule ahead of a looming government shutdown and was excited that her daughter was going to visit. "She did not make it in time to see her mother," Harman noted.  

Harman and Feinstein even took a photo together. "I want everyone to remember Dianne this way: strong, elegant," she said.

"I hate to think that never again will we have a woman — a person — of her stature in Congress. No one is like her. I loved her very much, and I am so glad I got the last hug and kiss," Harman said.

Harman said Feinstein opened up paths for future female leaders to serve.

The one lesson she learned from Feinstein? "Be fearless," she said.

Former US presidents are paying tribute to the late Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein. Here's a look at what they're saying:

President Barack Obama said that once Feinstein broke the barriers in her way, "she got to work." He noted her advocacy on gun safety measures and civil rights and said he "came to rely on her as a trusted partner in the fight to guarantee affordable healthcare and economic opportunity for everyone."

"The best politicians get into public service because they care about this country and the people they represent. That was certainly true of Dianne Feinstein, and all of us are better for it," he added.

President Bill Clinton said he and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, "are deeply saddened" at Feinstein's passing. He called her "a pioneering public servant who worked tirelessly on behalf of California and all of America throughout her long career."

"She was a fearless fighter who never backed down from what she believed in, but knew that principled compromise is often necessary to get things done for the good of the country and her constituents," he said in a statement released Friday. "Dianne’s legacy will endure with all the people living better, safer, healthier lives because of her, and in everyone who was inspired by her trailblazing life and career."

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke on the House floor Friday to honor the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein and asked all lawmakers to observe a moment of silence in remembrance of her fellow California Democrat.

Noting Feinstein's long career in public service, Pelosi said, the senator led with "great dignity" and with "great effectiveness."

Her legacy will inspire all, she added.

Republican members of the Senate have issued statements about Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein's passing at age 90, with some saying that while they might not have seen eye to eye on politics, they appreciated her longtime service.

Sen. Lindsey Graham

The top Republican on Senate Judiciary Committee called Feinstein "one of the most consequential senators in history."

"On a personal level, she was a friend. She always had something good to say to start the day. I enjoyed working with Dianne on tough issues as she understood the give and take nature of politics and negotiation," he said in a statement.

"I would recommend any young person who is interested in a political life to study the life and career of Senator Dianne Feinstein as a role model," he added.

Sen. Ron Johnson

"My sincere condolences to the family and friends of Senator Feinstein. She was a very gracious person," Johnson wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Sen. Tim Scott

"Saddened to learn of Senator Feinstein’s passing. A true trailblazer, she leaves behind a lasting legacy of service in the Senate. My prayers are with her family during this time of loss," the South Carolina senator wrote on X.

Sen. Mitt Romney 

In a post, Romney called Feinstein a "giant of the Senate" and offered condolences to her loved ones and staff.

Sen. John Kennedy

Kennedy and Feinstein led the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development together in addition to serving on the Judiciary Committee, he said in a statement.

“Sen. Feinstein cared about her country and her state. We didn’t agree politically, but she was a delight to serve with. I so valued our friendship and am praying for all of her loved ones,” Kennedy said.