Feinstein, Fetterman Hospitalizations May Mean Trouble for Democrats

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) is seen speaking on Capitol Hill in Washington on May 5, 2020, and Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.)is seen at Belmont Water Treatment Center in Philadelphia on Feb. 3, 2023. Andrew Harnik/ AP Photo; Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

Senate Democrats have little room for error after Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) announced she was hospitalized with shingles on Thursday and amid Sen. John Fetterman’s (D-Penn.) ongoing treatment for clinical depression.

On Thursday, Feinstein, 89, said she was hospitalized with the virus and won’t return until “later this month,” while Fetterman, 53, was hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to treat clinical depression last month. It’s not clear when Fetterman will be released.

Two other senators this week missed votes, including Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) Merkeley said in a statement that he is in Oregon to deal with a “family matter,” while Crapo reportedly is suffering from illness.

Because of absences this week, the Senate is deadlocked at 48–48, forcing Vice President Kamala Harris to cast tie-breaking votes for Democrats. When Crapo and Merkley return, the Senate will be tied at 49–49.

With no time-table provided for either Fetterman’s or Feinstein’s respective returns to the Senate, some analysts say that Democrats could face problems when trying to confirm President Joe Biden’s nominees.

This week, the Senate voted 49–48 in favor of one of Biden’s judicial picks, Margaret Guzman, and also voted 49–48 to confirm Araceli Martinez-Olguin to serve as a federal judge in the Northern District of California.

“Slim majorities are always challenging, but especially so in today’s Senate,” Sarah Binder, political science professor at George Washington University’s Columbian College of Arts and Science, told Newsweek on Thursday. “There are not many legislative measures on tap in the Senate, but Democrats will feel the pinch of a tied Senate whenever they try to confirm a controversial nominee.”

“In those cases, Democrats will need Vice President Harris back in the chair to break a tied vote to cut off debate on a confirmation vote,” Binder added. “That might slightly slow down Democrats and encourage them to focus on nominees who have some support from across the aisle.”

In an interview with Fox News, strategist Doug Heye said that “the danger of having such a small majority is that one or two illnesses can bring things to a halt,” noting the White House “has been aggressive and effective on judicial nominees, but that’s all on hold for now.”

Return Not Clear

Feinstein, the oldest member of the Senate, confirmed that “I was diagnosed over the February recess with a case of shingles. I have been hospitalized and am receiving treatment in San Francisco and expect to make a full recovery. I hope to return to the Senate later this month.” Shingles is a viral infection that develops into a rash, lasting for as long as four weeks.

Last month, the longtime Democrat confirmed that she would not be seeking reelection for the seat that she’s held since the early 1990s. Several Democrat lawmakers, including Reps. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Katie Porter (D-Calif.), have announced bids for her seat.

As for Fetterman, a timeline for return even less clear. Days before he was hospitalized for depression, Fetterman sought medical attention after feeling lightheaded—coming just months after he suffered a stroke while on the campaign trail.

On Monday, Fetterman spokesman Joe Calvello issued a statement saying he is on a “path to recovery.”

“We don’t have a lot to update folks with since there’s no real news to report except that John is doing well, working with the wonderful doctors, and remains on a path to recovery,” he said. “He is visiting with staff and family daily, and his staff are keeping him updated on Senate business and news.”

“We understand the intense interest in John’s status and especially appreciate the flood of well-wishes. However, as we have said this will be a weeks-long process and while we will be sure to keep folks updated as it progresses, this is all there is to give by way of an update,” Calvello added.

Before his latest stay in the hospital, Fetterman voted in the Senate to confirm three judicial nominees, including Gina R. Méndez-Miró of Puerto Rico to be a U.S. District Judge for the District of Puerto Rico; Lindsay C. Jenkins of Illinois to be a U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois; and Matthew L. Garcia of New Mexico to be a U.S. District Judge for the District of New Mexico.