‘Truly remarkable trailblazer’: Kentucky Sen. McConnell mourns Dianne Feinstein
Mitch McConnell remembered California Sen. Dianne Feinstein on Friday as a “remarkable individual” and an “incredibly effective person” who he became friends with during their overlapping extensive careers in the U.S. Senate.
“Those of us fortunate to call Senator Feinstein our colleague can say we served alongside the longest-serving female Senator in American history. Dianne was a trailblazer, and her beloved home state of California and our entire nation are better for her dogged advocacy and diligent service,” the Senate GOP leader said on the Senate floor.
Feinstein, who served in the Senate for more than 30 years, died Thursday in Washington at the age of 90. She was the oldest member of the U.S. Senate.
McConnell, 81, recalled that after he married Elaine Chao in 1992, Feinstein gifted him a small depiction of the U.S. Capitol.
“I looked at it this morning because it’s still on the wall and remembered our dear colleague as a truly remarkable individual,” he recalled.
McConnell and Chao would frequently dine with Feinstein and her husband Richard Blum when they were all in Washington. Chao served on a corporate board with Blum, who passed away in March of 2022.
“Those of us fortunate to call Senator Feinstein our colleague can say we served alongside the longest-serving female Senator in American history. Dianne was a trailblazer, and her beloved home state of California and our entire nation are better for her dogged advocacy and diligent service,” McConnell said.
Feinstein was the first woman to lead the San Francisco Board of Supervisors before becoming mayor on her way to the U.S. Senate. In recent months, her health deteriorated rapidly as she suffered from a shingles outbreak.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is tasked with appointing Feinstein’s replacement. He has said he will select a Black woman to fill the remainder of her term, which expires in 2024.
