Death of senator Dianne Feinstein sends shockwaves through the US

One of the US’s most powerful and longest serving senators, Dianne Feinstein, has died, beginning a fiercely contested battle over her vacant seat.

Control for one of the United States’ most influential political positions hangs in the balance after the death of Senator Dianne Feinstein at the age of 90.

The death of Feinstein, the longest-serving female senator in the country’s history, sets up a battle over her vacant seat representing California in the US Senate.

It comes as the US barrels towards a shutdown on the weekend, leaving both houses of Congress in disarray as representatives of the House and Senate clash for power.

Feinstein was a titan of US political history who notched countless legislative achievements during a trailblazing three-decade career.

US Senator Dianne Feinstein is pushed in a wheelchair as she arrives for a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting on Capitol Hill. Picture: AFP

Feinstein, the oldest senator, had announced her retirement in February but remained in the Senate to avoid a fight over a vacant seat even as questions over her health continued to mount.

While the cause of her death, first reported by ABC7 Insider and NBC News, has not been confirmed, she had faced calls to step down amid several health scares.

She was rushed to hospital after tripping and falling in August, and had earlier missed key votes over three months in the Senate due to shingles.

When she did return the Capitol Hill, Feinstein was often confused and ordered by staff to “just say aye” when going off script during routine voting.

Her short return from a months-long medical absence was overseen by primary caregiver Nancy Corrine Prowda, the daughter of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Pelosi was forced to deny claims that she was propping up a sickly Feinstein in the Senate to avoid the messy battle over a vacant seat and ensure her preferred candidate in 2024, Congressman Adam Schiff.

Feinstein’s death, however, means California Governor Gavin Newsom must appoint a replacement, which he promised to be a Black woman.

It sets up an internal challenge between the interim Senator, Pelosi’s apparent heir apparent, and a swath of ambitious Democratic Party challengers including Congress members Katie Porter and Barbara Lee.

Feinstein takes out an AK-47 during a press conference in 2003 urging the US Congress to extend the ban on the weapon. Picture: AFP

Pelosi reflected on Feinstein saying they were “not only colleagues, but neighbours and friends.”

“Her indomitable, indefatigable leadership made a magnificent difference for our national security and personal safety, the health of our people and our planet, and the strength of our Democracy,” Ms Pelosi said in a statement.

Hillary Clinton said Feinstein “blazed trails for women in politics and found a life’s calling in public service.”

Clinton, the former Secretary of State, said in May that Feinstein’s California Senate seat and her place on the Senate Judiciary Committee was too valuable for her to resign.

Governor Newsom, who has not yet announced her replacement, said Feinstein was a “political giant” who would be remembered for breaking barriers and glass ceilings.

Originally published as Death of senator Dianne Feinstein sends shockwaves through the US