Feinstein 'hopeful' she can return to Senate next week, Schumer notes say

[LetMyPeopleVote]

Source: Politico

Chuck Schumer spoke to Sen. Dianne Feinstein on Monday and the ailing California Democrat is “hopeful” she’ll return to Washington next week, according to notes the Senate majority leader held at a Tuesday press conference.

Feinstein, who is set to retire at the end of this Congress, has been absent from the Senate since early March after being hospitalized with shingles. The 89-year-old’s continued absence has left Democrats short of a crucial vote both in the chamber and on the Senate Judiciary Committee. The potential effect of her lost vote took on new urgency Monday, when Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen announced the country could breach the debt limit by June 1.

Schumer did not address Feinstein’s absence aloud during the press conference. Schumer’s spokesperson did not immediately respond to request for comment.

Earlier on Tuesday Feinstein’s office told POLITICO that Feinstein “continues to make progress in her recovery” from shingles, but that her staff “don’t have a timeline yet for her return to Washington, which is dependent on her medical team saying it is safe to travel.”

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[onenote]

1. Hope this turns out to be the case.

Of course, if it is, a lot of DUers are going to be pissed off.

[peppertree]

4. I would be, if she remained infirm AND stuck with her leave of absence

That's exactly what Mitch and his Senate Repugs are praying for, every waking moment.

She's a great lady - but all good things must come to an end.

[FoxNewsSucks]

5. Who will be pissed off?

I just see a posters and others who want the Democratic majority we fucking voted for to be able to get back up to speed. We don't have the luxury of time or putting up with delays.

[TheProle]

9. Thank you (!)

I want the machinery of government to move. If she proves herself capable of doing her job, I will be satisfied and the electoral process can run its course for the longer term.

If she can't, she needs to resign.

Saying that doesn't make DU look half as bad as the "ride or die" mentality of personality cultism.

[onenote]

13. What delays?

Judges have been and continue to be confirmed even during her absence. Three were confirmed in the past two days. Sixteen others have been confirmed between the time she became ill and the end of April. Eight judicial nominees have been approved by the Judiciary Committee during her absence and of the 12 nominations that are awaiting committee action, her absence has not been a factor, at least up to this point, with respect to most of them.

For some reason, DU becomes a fact free zone when it comes to Feinstein.

[lisa58]

2. I hope so, we need her

[BumRushDaShow]

3. K&R

and crossing fingers!

[maxsolomon]

6. Wow, what a confidence-inspiring statement from Senate leadership.

A clear, ACTUAL statement might be useful, not this tea-leaves shit.

[republianmushroom]

7. Time to retire, Dianne.

[Marcuse]

8. She has given so much to her country and party. She has at least one more gift to give.

[oasis]

10. Great news Senator, but, if no show, you gotta go.

[ColinC]

11. Oh helllll yeah

[ripcord]

12. As a Californian I say stay the course DiFI

The only ones who can remove you are the people who voted for you and that isn't happening, oh and flip your haters the bird.