California Sen. Dianne Feinstein returning to Washington, D.C. after nearly three-month absence

WASHINGTON- California Sen. Dianne Feinstein is returning to Washington, D.C. after a nearly three-month absence that prompted calls for her resignation.

The 89-year-old, who is the longest-serving senator in the state, was hospitalized with shingles in March and has been recovering at home. Feinstein has not returned to Capitol Hill since, missing about 100 votes and halting President Joe Biden's judicial nominations. Some of her Democratic colleagues questioned her fitness for office.

The San Francisco Chronicle first reported Feinstein boarded a private plane Tuesday. She returned to the nation's capital Tuesday evening.

"I have returned to Washington and am prepared to resume my duties in the Senate," she said in a statement, adding that she is still experiencing side effects from the shingles and has been advised by her doctors to work a lighter schedule.

Since her absence, the judiciary panel has only approved one nominee.

House Democrats called for Feinstein's resignation, including California Rep. Ro Khanna and Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips who said she should step down. They claimed Feinstein, who has been in the Senate since 1992, can no longer fulfill the duties of her office.

Feinstein asked Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to temporarily replace her on the Senate Judiciary Committee, but Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said there would be no urgency to appoint someone to her committee seat.

Feinstein officially announced she won't run for another Senate term in February. Her decision to not seek reelection paves the way for a competitive Senate race in California.

More: Sen. Dianne Feinstein, under pressure to resign, asks for temporary replacement on Judiciary Committee

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sen. Dianne Feinstein returning to Washington, D.C. after shingles