#Laphonza Butler to fill Feinstein’s Senate Judiciary Committee seat

Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.) is slated to fill the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s (D-Calif.) seat on the Judiciary Committee, lawmakers announced Tuesday. 

“It is an honor to welcome @SenLaphonza to the Senate Judiciary Committee. She brings new ideas and a unique experience in public service to our efforts in Committee to address the issues facing our nation,” Senate Judiciary Chairman Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

“I look forward to working with Senator Butler to continue the Committee’s work to advance the cause of justice,” Durbin said. 

Butler confirmed on X that she was assigned to the Judiciary Committee. She also said she was assigned to the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and the Rules and Administration Committee.

“I’m ready to get to work,” she added. 

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) in October appointed Butler, a former adviser to Vice President Harris and president of EMILY’s List, to fill the vacant Senate seat held by Feinstein, who died in September.

Feinstein’s absence from the Senate last spring due to an illness left the Judiciary Committee in a 10-10 deadlock. Senate Democrats attempted to pass a resolution to allow a temporary replacement at the time, but the GOP blocked that attempt in April. Her absence had given Senate Republicans more leverage to hold up President Biden’s nominees. 

Feinstein, the longest-serving woman senator in American history, died at the age of 90 in her home in Washington, D.C.