Dianne Feinstein returns to the Capitol after extended absence

Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California has returned to the Capitol after an extended absence while recovering from shingles.

Feinstein, 89, issued a statement Wednesday saying she has been advised by her doctors to work a "lighter schedule."

"Even though I've made significant progress and was able to return to Washington, I'm still experiencing some side effects from the shingles virus. My doctors have advised me to work a lighter schedule as I return to the Senate. I'm hopeful those issues will subside as I continue to recover," she said.

Feinstein returned to the Capitol using a wheelchair, telling reporters she was feeling "much better."

Feinstein said in April that her return to Washington had been "delayed due to continued complications related to my diagnosis" but said she planned to return to the Senate "as soon as possible once my medical team advises that it's safe for me to travel."

During her absence, the California senator faced pressure to return to Washington and calls from several House Democrats to resign. Feinstein sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, and without her vote on the panel, Democrats said that they would have to delay some of President Biden's key judicial nominees.

Feinstein said in her Wednesday statement that she "look(s) forward to resuming my work on the Judiciary Committee considering the president's judicial nominees."