Pressure for Feinstein to either return to Washington or resign grew in recent weeks following Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s announcement last week that the country could breach the debt limit as soon as June 1. Democrats would likely need Feinstein’s vote to clear any debt limit increase.
The California Democrat is set to retire at the end of this Congress, but has been absent after being hospitalized with shingles. The 89-year-old’s absence has made Democrats short of a critical vote on the Senate Judiciary Committee, preventing certain nominees from moving forward, and on the floor.
Her travel back to Washington follows a conversation last week with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, in which she said she could return as soon as this week. It is not yet clear if Feinstein will participate in Tuesday night’s floor votes. “I’m glad that my friend Dianne is back in the Senate and ready to roll up her sleeves and get to work. After talking with her multiple times over the past few weeks, it’s clear she’s back where she wants to be and ready to deliver for California,” Schumer said in a statement Tuesday.
Pressure had ramped up on Feinstein to either return or resign, as the Senate Judiciary Committee struggled to clear certain judicial nominations and Democrats grew increasingly nervous about the looming debt fight.