Dianne Feinstein death - latest: Tributes pour in for California senator
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Dianne Feinstein, the California Senator who served in Congress for over three decades, died on Thursday evening at 90 years old, her family confirmed to The New York Times.
First elected to the US Senate in 1992, Ms Feinstein was a trailblazer for women becoming one of the first women elected to the Senate from California after being the first female mayor of San Francisco.
She was the longest-serving woman in the Senate.
Celebrities, politicians and more paid tribute to Ms Feinstein on social media following news of her passing.
Senator Josh Hawley remembered Ms Feinstein as “tough, incredibly smart, and effective.”
Maxwell Frost, the youngest member of Congress, thanked Ms Feinstein for her work to prevent gun violence calling her a “champion for Gun Violence Prevention.”
In recent years, Ms Feinstein’s health had deteriorated leading to some questions about her ability to serve in government, however, she refused to step down.
How does Dianne Feinstein get replaced?
14:29 , Ariana Baio
Now that Senator Dianne Feinstein has died, California has an open Senate seat – so how will the empty seat be replaced and who will take over?
Earlier this year, California Governor Gavin Newsom said he would only appoint an “interim” replacement for Ms Feinstein if she stepped down from office before finishing her term.
The governor likely will not appoint any of them, including current US Rep Barbara Lee, widely speculated as Mr Newsom’s choice to fill a potential vacancy after he had indicated that he would appoint a Black woman to the seat.
Fellow Democratic US Reps Adam Schiff and Katie Porter are also lining up for the seat.
Mr Newsom told NBC’s Meet the Press on 10 September that he doesn’t want to get involved with the primary race.
“Interim appointment,” he said. “It would be completely unfair to the Democrats that have worked their tail off. That primary is just a matter of months away. I don’t want to tip the balance of that.”
Josh Hawley remembers Dianne Feinstein
14:16 , Ariana Baio
Senator Josh Hawley from Missouri paid tribute to the late Senator Dianne Feinstein on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Mr Hawley, a fellow Democrat, said he was “saddened to hear of the death” of Ms Feinstein and called it “an honor” to serve with her in the Senate.
“No one was more welcoming when I came to the Senate than she, and no one was a better example,” Mr Hawley wrote.
“She was tough, incredibly smart, and effective. Always willing to work across the aisle to get things done, she was a person of unquestioned integrity,” Mr Hawley said.
Ms Feinstein was first elected into office in 1992. She worked in the US Senate for 31 years.
He added: “I admired her and will miss her in the Senate. Eric and I send our deepest condolences to her family.”
Dianne Feinstein dies at 90
14:08 , Ariana Baio
Longtime Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein has died at the age of 90, according to multiple sources.
Her death comes after a series of health setbacks this year, including an extended time out of the Senate following a hospitalisation for shingles.
She returned to Congress several months later, looking frail as she was pushed into the chambers in a wheelchair to cast her votes.
Rachel Sharp reports:
