McConnell on Senator Feinstein’s Announced Retirement
‘Yesterday, the longest-serving female Senator in American history announced she plans to retire at the end of her record fifth full term… For decades she’s been one of the country’s most formidable legislators across numerous subjects. And somehow, amid it all, this battle-tested veteran stateswoman has maintained a genuine warmth and collegiality that cuts through even the tensest debates.’
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding Senator Dianne Feinstein:
“Yesterday, the longest-serving female Senator in American history announced she plans to retire at the end of her record fifth full term.
“My friend Dianne Feinstein made major history in 1992 when she became the first woman to represent California in the Senate.
“But of course, both her knack for notching historic firsts and her commitment to her fellow Golden Staters were very well established by the time she arrived here in Washington.
“Dianne’s career in politics began where many do: at the local level. But for Dianne, that happened to mean shattering glass ceilings in a major metropolis.
“She was the first woman to serve as president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.
“While in office, she endured a failed attempt to bomb her home. Then her predecessor as mayor was assassinated. That’s when Dianne became the city’s first female mayor.
“Then she handily beat an attempted recall.
“By the time this trailblazer became Senator Feinstein, there was practically nothing that could faze her.
“Dianne has been the top Democrat on the Rules Committee, the Intelligence Committee, and the Judiciary Committee.
“For decades she’s been one of the country’s most formidable legislators across numerous subjects.
“And somehow, amid it all, this battle-tested veteran stateswoman has maintained a genuine warmth and collegiality that cuts through even the tensest debates.
“Elaine and I have been fortunate to count Dianne as a friend for many years. Elaine and Dick served on a board together in the private sector years ago. Frequently when Dick was in town, the four of us would go out to dinner. We had a genuine friendship.
“So, as you can imagine, we hated to lose Dick recently.
“But the good news is that Dianne will be here for two more years as our colleague, and that’s very, very good news for Elaine and for me.”
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Related Issues: Senate Democrats, Tributes
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