On September 29, Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), the longest serving female member of the U.S. Senate, died at the age of 90. Given Senator Feinstein was a high-ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and its Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) Appropriations Subcommittee, her passing necessitated changes to key committees that fund and oversee the U.S. Census Bureau.
To fill Senator Feinstein’s seat on the Appropriations Committee, Senate leadership appointed Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.). Senator Sinema is also a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which has oversight of the U.S. Census Bureau. Senator Feinstein was a member of the CJS Appropriations Subcommittee, which is responsible for funding the U.S. Census Bureau. However, as of October 20, the Committee had not appointed a member to fill her seat on the CJS subcommittee.
On October 1, California Governor Gavin Newsom chose Ms. Laphonza Butler to fill the seat left vacant by the late Senator Feinstein. Senator Butler was appointed to serve on the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Senator Bulter said she will not seek election to a full term in 2024 when her current appointment expires.