Dianne Feinstein, trailblazing California senator, dies at 90

Transcript

00:00 Well, tonight, tributes are pouring in for Senator Dianne Feinstein. She died last night

00:04 at 90 years old. In recent months, there was growing concern over her health and her ability

00:08 to govern. But she voted on the Senate floor hours before her death. And as the statement

00:13 from her office read, Feinstein never backed away from a fight.

00:18 I do have a point of view.

00:20 Dianne Feinstein was a trailblazer.

00:23 I have found that being a woman isn't a disadvantage.

00:28 Her career was forged by triumph and tragedy.

00:31 Both Mayor Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk have been shot and killed.

00:40 She tried to save the life of Harvey Milk when he was assassinated in 1978 and then

00:45 became the first female mayor of San Francisco. Walter Mondale considered her as a running

00:51 mate in 1984.

00:53 And I view that as a major opening of a door.

00:55 In 1992, she became California's first female senator and introduced legislation that effectively

01:02 banned assault weapons for a decade.

01:05 Military-style assault weapons have no place in our society.

01:10 She fought again for that ban after it expired in 2004.

01:13 I'm not a sixth grader. Senator, I've been on this committee for 20 years.

01:18 She was also the first chairwoman of the Intelligence Committee, challenging the CIA on its interrogation

01:24 techniques.

01:25 The CIA's actions a decade ago are a stain on our value and on our history.

01:33 And in recent years was the champion of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and her allegations

01:38 against now-Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

01:41 And never before have we had a nominee facing allegations of sexual assault.

01:47 Tonight, flags are at half-staff across Washington in honor of the longest-serving female senator.

01:54 Whether we like it or not, we are our sister's keeper.

01:58 We do open doors for one another.

02:01 And she did open doors.

02:03 Senator Feinstein was 90 years old, and now California's Governor Gavin Newsom will appoint

02:07 someone to finish her term.