John Fetterman, Mitch McConnell return to Senate; Dianne Feinstein does not

WASHINGTON — Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Democratic Senator John Fetterman returned to the Capitol on Monday after a critical medical absence.

McConnell, 81, suffered a concussion and broken ribs after falling at a Washington hotel on March 8. After spending several days in the hospital, the Kentucky Republican was moved to a rehab facility.

In his first remarks on the Senate floor since the fall, McConnell said Monday, “Suffice it to say, this wasn’t the first time being hardheaded has served me so well.” I’m glad.”

Fetterman, 53, from Pennsylvania, resigned as a senator in February and was inpatient for clinical depression at Water Reed Army Medical Center.he was released from the hospital Late March.

“I want people to know that depression is treatable and works,” Fetterman said in a statement after leaving the hospital. “This is not a political issue. There are people in red counties and blue counties who are struggling with depression right now. If you need help, ask for help.”

Both Fetterman and McConnell’s return this week after the Senate’s Easter recess helped highlight one senator who has not returned from a lengthy medical absence: Feinstein, an 89-year-old California legislator. was early on when he last voted in the Senate. February. The Democratic caucuses hold his 51-49 majority in the House, which holds a slight edge on the committee, so his absence could hinder progress on any bills or nominations.

In March, Feinstein announced he was hospitalized with shingles and hopes to return to Washington soon.

New questions about Feinstein’s health In addition to long-standing doubts about her intellectual capacityThe combination sparked the first undisclosed and now increasingly public calls for Mr Feinstein to step down by 2025, when his current term ends.

But the senator rejected the pressure and dug in. In her statement last week, she said: She will continue her telecommuting in San Francisco. ”

Feinstein conceded and agreed to ask Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to ask the Senate to approve his request for someone to take a temporary position on the Judiciary Committee. The committee will vote on whether to advance President Joe Biden’s judicial candidate.

But for Schumer to fill the position, either the unanimous consent of the senators would be required to avoid the vote, or 10 Republicans would vote alongside the Democrats to break the filibuster. is needed.

As of Monday, several Republican senators had already announced that they would not approve their replacements by unanimous consent. It looked like

Speaking to reporters in Washington, Schumer remains optimistic that Republicans will help fill seats on Feinstein’s committee and plans to vote sometime this week. He refused to speculate about when he will return to the Senate.

“I spoke with Senator Feinstein just a few days ago and I believe she will be back soon. She wants it very much and so do I,” Schumer said.