Dianne Feinstein returns to Senate after 3 month stint in hospital

Feinstein arriving on Capitol Hill tonight after the extended absence that led to calls for her resignation. And Macavick has our first look at the senator in over three months and why her return is so important to the Biden administration's agenda. And? Yeah, it is pivotal. And while Feinstein was battling shingles here in San Francisco, Democrats were missing some key votes on the Hill. Their slim Senate majority was basically useless without her. Feinstein's office sent out a statement on her return today, saying in part, I'm still experiencing some side effects from the shingles virus. My doctors have advised me to work a lighter schedule as I return to the Senate.

I'm hopeful those issues will subside as I continue to recover. Now, those issues include vision and balance impairments, but she can still vote and she carries a lot of clout on the Hill today. The Democrats regained their advantage for now. You see nothing. Senator Diane Feinstein returns to Washington, allowing Democrats to defeat a Republican blockade on key votes, including on federal judges who can have a major impact on issues like abortion rights. Judiciary committee without her is deadlocked. And with that, they can't proceed if Republicans are united.

This way they can get judgeships to the floor. They can get subpoenas. It's not only judges that have been stalled with her absence. Important here in California is also the confirmation of Julie Sue to become the first Asian American in Biden's cabinet, which has also been stalled. She has a difficult time getting, getting through that confirmation process and absolutely needed Senator Feinstein to be there to advance her in this role. Senator Feinstein has been absent for almost three months, spending time in the hospital during a bout with shingles and then recovering at home. And even though she has returned, her health remains a concern.

I think everybody's hoping that the return to Washington is OK for her, that it doesn't put undue strain on her. I suspect that she is going to limit her activities. But again, from the standpoint of raw politics, what matters to the Democratic leadership is that vote on the floor. That vote in committee. During her medical leave, Feinstein faced a lot of calls to resign, including from Silicon Valley House Democrat Ro Khanna. His office today said that he is glad Feinstein is feeling better, but he also said she hurt the Democrats agenda and that time will tell on the future list.

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