Facts

• US Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) died Thursday night at her home in Washington, D.C. In a statement, her chief of staff James Sauls said she "never backed away from a fight for what was just and right" and "was always willing to work with anyone, even those she disagreed with, if it meant bettering the lives of Californians or the betterment of our nation."
• Feinstein's office-holding career began in 1978 following the assassinations of San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and city supervisor Harvey Milk, after which Feinstein became the first female mayor of the city, serving in the position until 1988. She became Senator in 1992 to fill a seat vacated by Pete Wilson, who had defeated her in the governor's race.
• Continuing her track record of firsts, she then became one of the first two women to join the Senate Judiciary Committee, a position she used to successfully push for an assault-style weapons ban in 1994. In 1996, she was one of the 14 senators who voted against the Defense of Marriage Act, which prevented the federal government from recognizing gay marriage.
• Her record also included voting against a bill to end partial-birth abortion, pushing to lift the Senate filibuster to allow pro-abortion legislation to pass, opposing former Pres. Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital. She also sponsored the Respect for Marriage Act, which would require both the federal government and state governments to recognize gay marriage.
• Feinstein, who also served as the first female chair of the Intelligence Committee, was a staunch supporter of the nation's spy agencies. She helped block former Pres. Obama's attempt to repeal the CIA's authority to conduct drone strikes and, after the National Security Agency's secret surveillance scheme was exposed, defended it by saying, "It’s called protecting America."
• Feinstein, who had planned to retire at the end of her term in 2025, faced calls to resign as her health grew worse — including a bout with shingles that led to encephalitis — causing her to use a wheelchair in the Capitol. As a crowded group of Democrats have already lined up to primary for her seat, Calif. Gov. Gavin Newsom must appoint a temporary replacement, who he has previously said will be a Black woman.