‘A champion’: Lawmakers remember Feinstein as trailblazer for women’s rights, gun control

By Matt Berg and Kierra Frazier

On September 29, 2023

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle expressed their condolences following the death of California Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein at 90, remembering her as a trailblazing senator who dedicated decades of her life to public service.

“She leaves behind an incredible legacy — breaking barriers for women and taking real action against gun violence,” Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), who served with Feinstein on the Senate Intelligence Committee, tweeted Friday morning.

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) remembered Feinstein for her efforts to strengthen gun control measures, adding that “the modern anti-gun violence movement, now stronger than the gun lobby, would not exist but for Dianne.”

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), who launched a campaign for Feinstein’s Senate seat after the 90-year-old said she would not run for reelection earlier this year, said it’s a “sad day for California and the nation.”

“Sen. Feinstein was a champion for our state, and served as the voice of a political revolution for women,” Lee said on X.

While Feinstein routinely butted heads with conservatives on issues like gun control and abortion access, an outpouring from her Republican colleagues remembered her fondly and highlighted her bipartisanship.

“Senator Feinstein was a political pioneer with a historic career of public service. Intelligent, hard working & always treated everyone with courtesy & respect,” Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) tweeted Friday morning. “May God grant her eternal rest.”

Tennessee Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn remembered Feinstein for being a role model for women in politics, saying that “despite our differences, I enjoyed our work together to protect songwriters and take on Big Tech.”

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), who worked closely with Feinstein on a number of bills, called her “a very gracious person.”

When Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) was elected to Congress in 2019, “no one was more welcoming … and no one was a better example. She was tough, incredibly smart, and effective,” he tweeted, noting her willingness to work across the aisle.

This piece was republished from MSN.