Sen. Dianne Feinstein in the Senate subway on Capitol Hill on May 11, 2022.Photo: Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times via Getty
“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," reads a statement from Feinstein’s office.
It continued: “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.”
Sen. Dianne Feinstein holds a news conference at the U.S. Capitol in 2017 to introduce legislation to ban the sale and possession of bump-stock equipment.Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call/Getty
Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call/Getty
Gen Z Rep. Maxwell FrostA champion for gun violence prevention
Gen Z Rep. Maxwell Frost
A champion for gun violence prevention
Quickly after news of Feinstein’s death broke, Florida Rep.Maxwell Frost— theyoungest member of Congressand a former organizer for March for Our Lives — acknowledged the senator’s contributions to mitigating gun violence.
“Senator Dianne Feinstein was a champion for Gun Violence Prevention that broke barriers at all levels of government,” he wrote on X. “We wouldn’t have had an assault weapons ban if it wasn’t for Senator Feinstein and due to her tireless work, we will win it back. May her memory be a blessing.”
California Rep.Katie Porter, who is acandidate for Feinstein’s Senate seatin the 2024 election, also acknowledged her gun safety efforts,writing on X, “Senator Feinstein was a trailblazer for women in California politics, and her leadership on gun violence prevention and anti-torture made our nation more just. I wish her loved ones strength during this difficult time.”
Throughout her career, Feinstein made gun safety a priority, after being thrust into the role of San Francisco mayor when her former colleague fatally shot City Supervisor Harvey Milk and then-Mayor George Moscone.
As the San Francisco Mayor, she proposed a citywide ban on handguns and faced a recall attempt as a result; early on in her Senate tenure, she spearheaded the successful federal assault weapons ban of 1994 (which expired 10 years later). At other points in her career, including after theSandy Hook Elementary School shooting, she proposed additional measures to prevent gun violence, proving the issue to be one of her most important.
Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and Sen. Dianne Feinstein embrace during a 2016 fundraiser in San Francisco.BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images
Former Secretary of State Hillary ClintonShe blazed trails for women in politics
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
She blazed trails for women in politics
Former Secretary of StateHillary Clinton— another trailblazing woman in politics, running a Senate campaign while serving as first lady and becoming the first female presidential nominee for a major party — called Feinstein a “friend” in her own tribute on Friday morning.
Feinstein was the first female president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, the first female mayor of San Francisco and was the longest-serving female senator in history. During her Senate tenure, she broke many barriers as the first woman to chair multiple powerful committees.
California Rep.Barbara Lee, a candidate for Feinstein’s Senate seat in 2024, concurred,writing on Xthat “Senator Feinstein broke glass ceilings for women in politics and fought fearlessly for safer communities free of gun violence.”
“This is a monumental day of loss, but Senator Feinstein’s work continues and her legacy lives on,” Lee continued. “May she rest in peace.”
Sen. Dianne Feinstein listens to testimony during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Sept. 13, 2022.Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty
California Gov. Gavin Newsom
California Gov.Gavin Newsom— who served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and as San Francisco mayor years after Feinstein — wrote a lengthy tribute to the senator on Friday.
“Dianne Feinstein was many things – a powerful, trailblazing U.S. Senator; an early voice for gun control; a leader in times of tragedy and chaos. But to me, she was a dear friend, a lifelong mentor, and a role model not only for me, but to my wife and daughters for what a powerful, effective leader looks like," he said in astatement.
As governor, Newsom is now tasked with appointing a successor to complete the remainder of Feinstein’s Senate term, which expires on Jan. 3, 2025. He has not yet made a decision on who will replace her, but previously suggested that he would choose a Black woman to fill the representation gap in the Senate after Kamala Harris was elevated to vice president.
Ranking member Dianne Feinstein questions Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett as she testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee on the second day of her Supreme Court confirmation hearing.Kevin Dietsch-Pool/Getty
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnellAn incredibly effective person at every level
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell
An incredibly effective person at every level
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican who often found himself at odds with Feinstein, set aside their political differences to pay respect to Feinstein’s legacy on Friday and offer a window into their behind-the-scenes friendship on the Hill.
“I know how we always refer to each other as ‘my friend from’ whatever state it is. Honestly, frequently that’s not true. But Elaine and I were actual friends of [Feinstein’s late husband] Dick and Dianne," McConnell said in a statement. “Elaine served on a corporate board with Dick for a number of years. When they were in town together we would frequently have dinner together.”
He continued: “Elaine and I got married shortly after the ‘92 election and I remember that Dianne gave us a small depiction of the Capitol. I looked at it this morning because it’s still on the wall and remembered our dear colleague as a truly remarkable individual."
McConnell went on to call Feinstein “an incredibly effective person at every level on the way to the Senate,” adding that “her beloved home state of California and our entire nation are better for her dogged advocacy and diligent service.”
“Over the past three decades, the senior Senator for California was also the steady hand leading sensitive and consequential work as head of the Intelligence Committee and the Judiciary Committee. Her name became synonymous with advocacy for women, and with issues from water infrastructure to counter-drug efforts," he continued.
“Today, I know the entire Senate family is gathering around Senator Feinstein’s loyal staff. Our thoughts and prayers are with Dianne’s daughter Katherine, her granddaughter Eileen, the entire Feinstein family, and with all who mourn our dear colleague and friend.”
Sen. Dianne Feinstein takes the oath of office with then-Vice President Joe Biden and her husband, Richard Blum.Chip Somodevilla/Getty
President Joe BidenA pioneering American
President Joe Biden
A pioneering American
PresidentJoe Biden, who served with Feinstein in the Senate for more than 15 years, released astatementcalling the late senator a “pioneering American” and “cherished friend,” and saying he “had a front row seat to what Dianne was able to accomplish.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck SchumerWe’re comforted knowing how many mountains she moved
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer
We’re comforted knowing how many mountains she moved
Senate Majority LeaderChuck Schumerdelivered an 8-minute speech on the Senate floor on Friday morning, in which he honored one of the most senior members of his caucus with heartfelt memories.
Alongsidea video of the speech posted to X, Schumer wrote: “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.”
In afollow-up X post, Schumer said, “Senator Dianne Feinstein was in a class of her own. Powerful. Poised. Unflappable. She had to be: whenever she did something, she was often the first to do it.““She didn’t just push down doors that were closed for women,” he continued, “she held them open for generations of women to follow.”
source: people.com
