ARTICLE
The past few days have been filled with historic significance in our nation and how our political process has unveiled itself in ways never imagined. First, let’s begin with the death of Senator Dianne Feinstein, a legend of California’s political system whose career has been well chronicled over a half century from her early days as a San Francisco County Supervisor, Mayor of the City and U.S. Senator since the “Year of the Women” in 1992 election to the Senate. In the last few days, we have read dozens of comments from political leaders from both parties citing her as a political giant known for her tenacity as well as behind the scenes personal stories shared by other women senators who experienced the graceful side of her personality. I have many business colleagues and political friends who worked with or for her during her many years in public office. Each colleague has posted their stories about the Senator on Facebook, Twitter (X) and other news outlets describing their personal and professional relationship. When Senator Feinstein announced her decision to not run for re-election back in February, I penned a eNews story about her career and how my career path crossed with hers: https://web.santacruzchamber.org/news/newsarticledisplay.aspx?ArticleID=1994. A memorial service for the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein will be held on the front steps of San Francisco City Hall on Thursday, beginning at 1 p.m. SF’s iconic City Hall will serve as a backdrop for a memorial for the iconic senator, which will be open to members of the public to attend. On Tuesday, Vice President Kamala Harris swore in Laphonza Butler, as Governor Gavin Newsom’s appointment to replace Senator Feinstein. Butler, a political ally of the Vice President and many Democratic women leaders throughout the United States, stepped down as the President of Emily’s List, a national political organization that focuses on electing Democratic women to office. When she accepted Newsom’s appointment, she stated, “It wasn’t an easy decision because I love my job and I love my family and I love my privacy, but I also love my country and I love my state. And you know I can’t really be the leader of Emily’s List and encourage other women to do something courageous for their communities and for their country and I not be willing to do the same.” Now Senator Butler, in her first interview since her appointment by the Governor, a decision that will catapult her into the history books as the only Black woman currently in the Senate and the first LGBTQ+ senator from California. She didn’t have an answer to the top question on the minds of political observers across the nation — especially the candidates in the 2024 California Senate Race which includes Barbara Lee (a black Congresswoman from Oakland who is supported by the Congressional Black Caucus that encouraged Governor Newsom to appoint her if Senator Feinstein resigned or died in office. So the question remains: Will she run for the full senate term next year or simply serve as a caretaker of the position until November? “I have no idea. I genuinely don’t know,” Butler said. “I want to be focused on honoring the legacy of Sen. Feinstein. I want to devote my time and energy to serving the people of California. And I want to carry her baton with the honor that it deserves and so I genuinely have no idea.” Butler, who has never held elected office before, has a partner and young daughter in Maryland which is closer to Emily List's office in Washington DC. Butler will move back to California after taking office. Tuesday also included another historically significant political moment when the Republican-led House of Representatives voted to oust Kevin McCarthy as speaker, the first such removal in congressional history. The hard-right wing of the Republican Party led by Congressman Matt Gaetz from Florida introduced a resolution to remove McCarthy as speaker. The resolution moved to the House floor. The Congressional procedure for such an action is unprecedented and began with a motion to table the resolution. That motion failed which led to a second motion to vacate the Speaker’s office. That motion passed on a 216-210 vote with eight Republicans joining the Democratic minority to remove the speaker. Removing the speaker launches the House Republicans into chaos. Typically, top leaders would be next in line for the job, but Republican Majority Leader Steve Scalise is battling cancer and Republican Majority Whip Tom Emmer, like any potential candidate, may have trouble securing the vote. As it was noted during the January skirmish to elect McCarthy as speaker it took 15 rounds of votes over multiple days of voting before he secured the support from his colleagues to gain the gavel, and it’s uncertain now if he will try again — or call it quits. McCarthy has told his colleagues he will not attempt to regain the Speakership. So what are the next steps to bring some sort of civility to the House of Representatives? The Republicans — including the eight rebels who led the ouster of McCarthy — technically hold the Majority votes in the House. However, it is uncertain whether a Republican member from the Majority party can sway power in a house divided. We know a couple of clear facts that the Congress (house and senate) have approved and the President has signed a continuing resolution (spending bill) to fund the federal government for 42 days. By the middle of November, the House will need to elect a new speaker and reconvene the full Congress to pass a federal budget so all Americans know where our country is headed in 2024. In short order, will we find out whether the U.S. Congress is set to govern in a time of political uncertainty? The American people and the World are watching.
The past few days have been filled with historic significance in our nation and how our political process has unveiled itself in ways never imagined.
First, let’s begin with the death of Senator Dianne Feinstein, a legend of California’s political system whose career has been well chronicled over a half century from her early days as a San Francisco County Supervisor, Mayor of the City and U.S. Senator since the “Year of the Women” in 1992 election to the Senate. In the last few days, we have read dozens of comments from political leaders from both parties citing her as a political giant known for her tenacity as well as behind the scenes personal stories shared by other women senators who experienced the graceful side of her personality. I have many business colleagues and political friends who worked with or for her during her many years in public office. Each colleague has posted their stories about the Senator on Facebook, Twitter (X) and other news outlets describing their personal and professional relationship.
When Senator Feinstein announced her decision to not run for re-election back in February, I penned a eNews story about her career and how my career path crossed with hers: https://web.santacruzchamber.org/news/newsarticledisplay.aspx?ArticleID=1994. A memorial service for the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein will be held on the front steps of San Francisco City Hall on Thursday, beginning at 1 p.m. SF’s iconic City Hall will serve as a backdrop for a memorial for the iconic senator, which will be open to members of the public to attend.
On Tuesday, Vice President Kamala Harris swore in Laphonza Butler, as Governor Gavin Newsom’s appointment to replace Senator Feinstein. Butler, a political ally of the Vice President and many Democratic women leaders throughout the United States, stepped down as the President of Emily’s List, a national political organization that focuses on electing Democratic women to office. When she accepted Newsom’s appointment, she stated, “It wasn’t an easy decision because I love my job and I love my family and I love my privacy, but I also love my country and I love my state. And you know I can’t really be the leader of Emily’s List and encourage other women to do something courageous for their communities and for their country and I not be willing to do the same.”
Now Senator Butler, in her first interview since her appointment by the Governor, a decision that will catapult her into the history books as the only Black woman currently in the Senate and the first LGBTQ+ senator from California.
She didn’t have an answer to the top question on the minds of political observers across the nation — especially the candidates in the 2024 California Senate Race which includes Barbara Lee (a black Congresswoman from Oakland who is supported by the Congressional Black Caucus that encouraged Governor Newsom to appoint her if Senator Feinstein resigned or died in office. So the question remains: Will she run for the full senate term next year or simply serve as a caretaker of the position until November?
“I have no idea. I genuinely don’t know,” Butler said. “I want to be focused on honoring the legacy of Sen. Feinstein. I want to devote my time and energy to serving the people of California. And I want to carry her baton with the honor that it deserves and so I genuinely have no idea.”
Butler, who has never held elected office before, has a partner and young daughter in Maryland which is closer to Emily List's office in Washington DC. Butler will move back to California after taking office.
Tuesday also included another historically significant political moment when the Republican-led House of Representatives voted to oust Kevin McCarthy as speaker, the first such removal in congressional history. The hard-right wing of the Republican Party led by Congressman Matt Gaetz from Florida introduced a resolution to remove McCarthy as speaker. The resolution moved to the House floor. The Congressional procedure for such an action is unprecedented and began with a motion to table the resolution. That motion failed which led to a second motion to vacate the Speaker’s office. That motion passed on a 216-210 vote with eight Republicans joining the Democratic minority to remove the speaker.
Removing the speaker launches the House Republicans into chaos. Typically, top leaders would be next in line for the job, but Republican Majority Leader Steve Scalise is battling cancer and Republican Majority Whip Tom Emmer, like any potential candidate, may have trouble securing the vote.
As it was noted during the January skirmish to elect McCarthy as speaker it took 15 rounds of votes over multiple days of voting before he secured the support from his colleagues to gain the gavel, and it’s uncertain now if he will try again — or call it quits. McCarthy has told his colleagues he will not attempt to regain the Speakership.
So what are the next steps to bring some sort of civility to the House of Representatives? The Republicans — including the eight rebels who led the ouster of McCarthy — technically hold the Majority votes in the House. However, it is uncertain whether a Republican member from the Majority party can sway power in a house divided. We know a couple of clear facts that the Congress (house and senate) have approved and the President has signed a continuing resolution (spending bill) to fund the federal government for 42 days. By the middle of November, the House will need to elect a new speaker and reconvene the full Congress to pass a federal budget so all Americans know where our country is headed in 2024.
In short order, will we find out whether the U.S. Congress is set to govern in a time of political uncertainty? The American people and the World are watching.