AFJ Remembers Historic Career of Sen. Dianne Feinstein

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 29, 2023 – News broke Friday morning that Sen. Dianne Feinstein has passed away at age 90, leaving behind a trailblazing political career that lasted over half a century. Her legacy is marked with several notable firsts, including the first female Jewish U.S. senator, California’s first female senator, the first woman to have taken multiple leadership roles in the Senate, and the longest-serving female senator in history. 

Alliance for Justice was proud to work closely with Sen. Feinstein in her capacity on the Senate Judiciary Committee over several decades. She recognized the importance of the courts and who sits on them, voting against even popular nominees like John Roberts for his unwillingness to establish a clear position on issues like abortion.  

Jake Faleschini, AFJ Justice Program Director, issued the following statement: 

“Alliance for Justice joins with those mourning the loss of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a remarkable political leader who has made an indelible impact on the lives of millions. Dating all the way back to her time on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and through her three decades in the Senate, Feinstein has been a progressive stalwart who has advocated for abortion rights, LGBTQ+ rights, gun safety, access to health care, and a judiciary that advances the cause of justice. 

“Feinstein recognized that who sits on our courts matters, and she unflinchingly voted accordingly. Through her work on the Senate Judiciary Committee, she has played a key role in many important judicial nominations and spent her final years ensuring that President Biden’s historically diverse judges were confirmed to the courts. 

“The work continues to see those judges confirmed, as does the Senate’s vital role to keep our government funded and operational. AFJ looks forward to a smooth transition when the state of California announces her successor and will vigorously oppose any effort by Senate Republicans to exploit Feinstein’s passing for political gain in the Senate.”