Dianne Feinstein

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Dianne Feinstein
DianneFeinsteinReplace.jpg
U.S. Senate, California
Incumbent
Tenure
1993-Present
Term ends
January 3, 2019
Years in position 23
PartyDemocratic
PredecessorJohn Seymour (R)
Report an officeholder change
Compensation
Base salary$174,000/year
Elections and appointments
Last electionNovember 6, 2012
First electedNovember 3, 1992
Election dateNovember 6, 2018
Campaign $$34,524,710
Term limitsN/A
Prior offices
Mayor, City of San Francisco
1978-1988
Education
Bachelor'sStanford University, 1955
Personal
Date of birthJune 22, 1933
Place of birthSan Francisco, CA
Net worth(2012) $68,446,578
ReligionJewish
Websites
Office website
Campaign website
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Dianne Feinstein (b. June 22, 1933, in San Francisco, CA) is a Democratic member of the U.S. Senate from the state of California. She was first elected to the Senate in 1992.

Feinstein began her political career in 1970, serving on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors until 1978. She then served as Mayor of San Francisco from 1978 to 1988. Prior to her election to the Senate in 1992, she ran unsuccessfully for Governor of California in 1990.

Feinstein most recently won re-election in 2012. She and Elizabeth Emken (R) advanced past the blanket primary on June 5, 2012, defeating 22 other candidates. Feinstein then defeated Emken in the general election, receiving 62.5% of the vote.[1][2]

Based on analysis of multiple outside rankings, Feinstein is an average Democratic member of Congress, meaning she will vote with the Democratic Party on the majority of bills.

Career

Below is an abbreviated outline of Feinstein's academic, professional and political career:[3]

  • 1992-Present: U.S. Senator from California
  • 1990: Unsuccessful candidate for Governor of California
  • 1988-1989: Director, Bank of California
  • 1978-1988: Mayor of San Francisco
  • 1970-1978: San Francisco Board of Supervisors
  • 1960-1966: California Women’s Board of Terms and Parole
  • 1955: Graduated from Stanford University

Committee assignments

U.S. Senate

2015-2016

Feinstein serves on the following committees:[4]

2013-2014

Feinstein served on the following committees:[5]

  • Intelligence, Chairman
  • Appropriations
    • Subcommittee on Transportation and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
    • Subcommittee on Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
    • Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development
    • Subcommittee on Department of Defense
    • Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
    • Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
  • Judiciary Committee
    • Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law
    • Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees and Border Security
    • Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism
  • Rules and Administration

2011-2012

  • Appropriations
    • Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
    • Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
    • Subcommittee on Defense
    • Subcommittee on Energy And Water Development, Chair
    • Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
    • Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
  • Judiciary
    • Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism
    • Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees and Border Security
  • Rules and Administration
  • Intelligence, Chairman

Key votes

114th Congress

CongressLogo.png

The first session of the 114th Congress has enacted into law six out of the 2,616 introduced bills (0.2 percent). Comparatively, the 113th Congress had 1.3 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the first session.[6] The Senate has confirmed 3,934 out of 5,051 executive nominations received (77.9 percent). For more information pertaining to Feinstein's voting record in the 114th Congress, please see the below sections.[7]

Economic and fiscal

Trade Act of 2015
See also: The Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, 2015

Yea3.png On May 22, 2015, the Senate passed HR 1314, which was used as a legislative vehicle for trade legislation with the titles "Trade Act of 2015" and the "Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015," by a vote of 62-37. The bill proposed giving the president trade promotion authority (TPA). TPA, also known as fast track authority, allows the president to negotiate trade deals that cannot be amended by Congress. Congress casts a simple up or down vote on a trade agreement, and the legislation only requires a simple majority for approval. The bill also included a statement of trade priorities and provisions for trade adjustment assistance. Feinstein voted with 13 other Democratic senators to approve the bill.[8][9]
Trade promotion authority
Yea3.png On June 24, 2015, by a vote of 60-38, the Senate approved trade promotion authority (TPA) as part of HR 2146 - Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act. Feinstein was one of 13 Democrats to vote in favor of the bill. After, Senate Republican leadership honored a pledge to support trade adjustment assistance (TAA) by passing the measure as part of HR 1295 - Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015 by voice vote. The House passed HR 1295 the following day, on June 25, 2015, and both TPA and TAA were signed into law on June 29, 2015.[10][11][12]

2016 Budget proposal

Nay3.png On May 5, 2015, the Senate voted to approve SConRes11, a congressional budget proposal for fiscal year 2016, by a vote of 51-48. The non-binding resolution will be used to create 12 appropriations bills to fund the government before funding runs out on October 1, 2015. The vote marked the first time since 2009 that Congress approved a joint budget resolution. All 44 Democrats, including Feinstein, voted against the resolution.[13][14][15]

Defense spending authorization

Yea3.png On November 10, 2015, the Senate passed S 1356 - the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 by a vote of 91-3. The second version of the $607 billion national defense bill included "$5 billion in cuts to match what was approved in the budget" and language preventing the closure of the Guantanamo Bay military prison.[16][17] Feinstein voted with 41 Democrats, 48 Republicans and one independent in favor of the bill.[18] On November 5, 2015, the House passed the bill by a vote of 370-58, and President Barack Obama signed it into law on November 25, 2015.[19]

Yea3.png On June 18, 2015, the Senate passed HR 1735 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 by a vote of 71-25. The bill "authorizes FY2016 appropriations and sets forth policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, including military personnel strengths. It does not provide budget authority, which is provided in subsequent appropriations legislation." Feinstein voted with 20 Democrats, 49 Republicans and one Independent to approve the bill.[20] The House passed the bill on May 15, 2015.[21] President Barack Obama vetoed the bill on October 22, 2015.[22]

2015 budget

Yea3.png On October 30, 2015, the Senate passed HR 1314 - Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 by a vote of 64-35. The bill increased military and domestic spending levels and suspended the debt ceiling until March 2017.[23] Feinstein voted with 43 Democrats, 18 Republicans and two independents in favor of the bill.[24] It passed the House on October 28, 2015.[25] President Barack Obama signed it into law on November 2, 2015.

Foreign Affairs

Iran nuclear deal
See also: Iran nuclear agreement, 2015

Yea3.png On May 7, 2015, the Senate voted to approve HR 1191 - A bill to provide for congressional review and oversight of agreements relating to Iran's nuclear program, and for other purposes, by a vote of 98-1. The bill required President Barack Obama to submit the details of the nuclear deal with Iran for congressional review. Congress had 60 days to review the deal and vote to approve, disapprove or take no action on the deal. During the review period, sanctions on Iran could not be lifted. All 43 Democratic senators who voted, including Feinstein, approved the bill.[26][27]


Hire More Heroes Act of 2015
Nay3.png On September 10, 2015, the Senate voted to filibuster the measure to disapprove of the Iran nuclear deal by a vote of 58-42.[28] Sixty votes were needed to proceed to HJ Res 61 - the Hire More Heroes Act of 2015, the legislative vehicle the Senate was expected to use to disapprove of the Iran nuclear deal. Feinstein voted with 39 Democrats and two Independents against proceeding to the measure of disapproval.[29]


Hire More Heroes Act of 2015 follow up votes
Nay3.png On September 15, 2015, the Senate voted for a second time to filibuster the measure to disapprove of the Iran nuclear deal by a vote of 56-42.[30] Sixty votes were needed to proceed to HJ Res 61 - the Hire More Heroes Act of 2015, the legislative vehicle the Senate was expected to use to disapprove of the Iran nuclear deal. Feinstein voted with 39 Democrats and two Independents against proceeding to the measure of disapproval.[31] The legislation was voted on for a third time on September 17, and it failed for a third time by a vote of 56-42.[32]


Hire More Heroes Act of 2015 fourth vote
Nay3.png On September 17, 2015, the Senate voted to filibuster a vote on S.Amdt.2656 to S.Amdt.2640 by a vote of 53-45. The amendment proposed prohibiting "the President from waiving, suspending, reducing, providing relief from, or otherwise limiting the application of sanctions pursuant to an agreement related to the nuclear program of Iran."[33] Feinstein voted with 42 Democrats and two Independents against proceeding to the amendment.[34]

Domestic

USA FREEDOM Act of 2015

Yea3.png On June 2, 2015, the Senate passed HR 2048 - the Uniting and Strengthening America by Fulfilling Rights and Ensuring Effective Discipline Over Monitoring Act of 2015 or the USA FREEDOM Act of 2015 by a vote of 67-32. The legislation revised HR 3199 - the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 by terminating the bulk collection of metadata under Sec. 215 of the act, increasing transparency of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court and requiring the use of "a specific selection term as the basis for national security letters that request information from wire or electronic communication service providers, financial institutions, or consumer reporting agencies." Feinstein voted with 42 Democrats, 23 Republicans and one Independent to approve the legislation. It became law on June 2, 2015.[35][36]

Cyber security

Yea3.png On October 27, 2015, the Senate passed S 754 - the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 by a vote of 74-21.[37] The bill proposes procedures that will allow federal agencies and private entities to share information about cyber threats. Feinstein voted with 29 Democrats, 43 Republicans and one independent in favor of the bill.[38]

Immigration

Nay3.png On October 20, 2015, the Senate voted against proceeding to a vote on S 2146 - the Stop Sanctuary Policies and Protect Americans Act by a vote of 54-45. The bill proposed withholding federal funding from "sanctuary jurisdictions" that violate the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 and other federal immigration laws. In addition, the bill proposed increasing "penalties for individuals who illegally reenter the United States after being removed" and providing "liability protection for State and local law enforcement who cooperate with Federal law enforcement."[39] Feinstein voted with 41 Democrats, one Republican and two Independents against proceeding to the bill.[40]

113th Congress

The second session of the 113th Congress enacted into law 224 out of the 3215 introduced bills (7 percent). Comparatively, the 112th Congress had 4.2 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the second session.[41] The Senate confirmed 13,949 out of 18,323 executive nominations received (76.1 percent). For more information pertaining to Feinstein's voting record in the 113th Congress, please see the below sections.[42]

National security

John Brennan CIA nomination

Yea3.png Feinstein voted for the confirmation of John Brennan as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. The nomination was confirmed by the Senate on March 7, 2013, with a vote of 63 - 34. Most Democrats supported the nomination, while Republicans were somewhat divided with roughly one-third supporting the nomination.[43]

Economy

Source: This graphic was generated by Find The Best.

Farm bill

Yea3.png On February 4, 2014, the Democratic controlled Senate approved the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013, H.R. 2642, also known as the Farm Bill.[44] It passed the Senate with a vote of 68-32. The nearly 1,000-page bill reformed and continued various programs of the Department of Agriculture through 2018. The $1 trillion bill expanded crop insurance for farmers by $7 billion over the next decade and created new subsidies for rice and peanut growers that will kick in if or when prices drop; however, cuts to the food stamp program cut an average of $90 per month for 1.7 million people in 15 states.[45] Feinstein joined with 46 other Democratic senators in favor of the bill.

2014 Budget

Yea3.png On January 16, 2014, the Democratic-controlled Senate approved H.R. 3547, a $1.1 trillion spending bill to fund the government through September 30, 2014.[46][47] The Senate voted 72-26 for the 1,582 page bill, with 17 Republicans and 55 Democrats voting in favor of the bill.[47] The omnibus package included 12 annual spending bills to fund federal operations.[48] It included a 1 percent increase in the paychecks of federal workers and military personnel, a $1 billion increase in Head Start funding for early childhood education, reduced funding to the Internal Revenue Service and the Environmental Protection Agency and left the Affordable Care Act without any drastic cuts. Feinstein voted with the Democratic Party in favor of the bill.[46][47]

Government shutdown

See also: United States budget debate, 2013

Yea3.png During the shutdown in October 2013, the Senate rejected, down party lines, every House-originated bill that stripped the budget of funding for the Affordable Care Act. A deal was reached late on October 16, 2013, just hours before the debt ceiling deadline. The bill to reopen the government, H.R. 2775, lifted the $16.7 trillion debt limit and funded the government through January 15, 2014. Federal employees also received retroactive pay for the shutdown period. The only concession made by Senate Democrats was to require income verification for Obamacare subsidies.[49] The final vote on H.R. 2775 was 81-18, with all 18 votes against the bill from Republican members. Feinstein voted with the Democratic Party for the bill.[50]

Feinstein "will donate her salary during the shutdown to the Consortium of Catholic Academies."[51]

No Budget, No Pay Act of 2013

Yea3.png Feinstein voted for H.R.325 -- No Budget, No Pay Act of 2013. The bill passed the Senate on January 31, 2013, with a vote of 64 - 34. The purpose of the bill was to temporarily suspend the debt ceiling and withhold the pay of members of Congress until a budget could be passed. The vote largely followed party lines with Democrats overwhelmingly supporting it and many Republicans in opposition to the bill.[52]

Immigration

Mexico-U.S. border

Neutral/Abstain Feinstein did not vote on Senate Amendment 1197 -- Requires the Completion of the Fence Along the United States-Mexico Border. The amendment was rejected by the Senate on June 18, 2013, with a vote of 39 - 54. The purpose of the amendment was to require the completion of 350 miles of fence described in the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 before registered provisional immigrant status may be granted. It would also require 700 miles of fence be completed before the status of registered provisional immigrants may be changed to permanent resident status. The vote followed party lines.[53]

Social issues

Violence Against Women (2013)

Yea3.png Feinstein voted for S.47 -- Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013. The bill was passed by the Senate on February 12, 2013, with a vote of 78 - 22. The purpose of the bill was to combat violence against women, from domestic violence to international trafficking in persons. All 22 dissenting votes were cast by Republicans.[54]

Previous congressional sessions

Fiscal Cliff

Yea3.png Feinstein voted for the fiscal cliff compromise bill, which made permanent most of the Bush tax cuts originally passed in 2001 and 2003 while also raising tax rates on the highest income levels. The bill was passed in the Senate by an 89 - 8 vote on January 1, 2013.[55]

Voting record

Issues

On The Issues Vote Match

Dianne Feinstein's Vote Match results from On The Issues.
See also: On The Issues Vote Match

On The Issues conducts a VoteMatch analysis of elected officials based on 20 issue areas. Rather than relying on incumbents to complete the quiz themselves, the VoteMatch analysis is conducted using voting records, statements to the media, debate transcripts, or citations from books authored by or about the candidate.[56]

On The Issues organization logo

The table below contains the results of analysis compiled by staff at On The Issues.

On The Issues Vote Quiz[57]
Economic Issues Social Issues
Issue Stance Issue Stance
Legally require hiring women & minorities Strongly Favors Abortion is a woman's unrestricted right Strongly Favors
Expand Obamacare Favors Comfortable with same-sex marriage Strongly Favors
Vouchers for school choice Opposes Keep God in the public sphere Opposes
Absolute right to gun ownership Strongly Opposes No "rights" to clean air and water Strongly Opposes
Higher taxes on the wealthy Favors Stricter punishment reduces crime Favors
Support & expand free trade Favors Pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens Strongly Favors
More enforcement of the right to vote Favors Maintain U.S. sovereignty from UN Opposes
Prioritize green energy Strongly Favors Expand the military Opposes
Stimulus better than market-led recovery Strongly Favors Stay out of Iran Favors
Privatize Social Security Opposes Never legalize marijuana Favors
Note: Information last updated: May 20, 2015.[56] If you notice the rating has changed, email us.

Presidential preference

2016 presidential endorsement

✓ Feinstein endorsed Hillary Clinton for the Democrat primary in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.[58]

See also: Endorsements for Hillary Clinton

Desert monuments

Feinstein asked President Barack Obama to take executive action to create three national monuments in California: Mojave Trails, Sand to Snow and Castle Mountains. These monuments would provide protection to over 1,500 square miles of land between Palm Springs and the Nevada border. She called on the president after having little success on the issue in Congress. Feinstein said, "Despite strong support from the many stakeholders in the desert, from conservation groups, off-road recreation supporters, counties, energy companies, water districts, business groups and tribes, we have not been able to move it in the Senate, and the House has yet to introduce the version I'm told they've been working on for months."[59]

Controversy

CIA search

Feinstein, the head of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said that the CIA broke federal laws when it allegedly secretly removed documents from the computers used by Feinstein's panel to investigate an interrogation program. She referred the case to the Justice Department for possible criminal prosecution for possibly violating the Fourth Amendment and other federal laws.[60]

CIA Director John Brennan responded by saying the agency did nothing wrong and "has tried to work as collaboratively as possible" with the committee. He said, "The CIA agrees with many findings in the report and disagrees with others." He went on, "If I did something wrong, I will go to the president. He is the one who can ask me to stay or to go."[60]

Gun control

After the shootings at the Washington Navy Yard in September 2013, Feinstein continued to push for tighter gun control regulation. She said, "Congress must stop shirking its responsibility and resume a thoughtful debate on gun violence in this country. We must do more to stop this endless loss of life."[61] President Barack Obama also responded in a similar fashion. He said, "Obviously, we’re going to be investigating thoroughly what happened, as we do so many of these shootings, sadly, that have happened, and do everything that we can to prevent them."[61]

Former CNN commentator Erick Erickson responded to Feinstein's comments, saying, "there has to be a better time for it than as the temperature of bodies on the ground in the Navy Yard are not even yet cold. If you don’t have the judgment and good sense to understand that now is not the time to say it, you have no capacity to understand why.”[61]

Campaign themes

2012

Feinstein's campaign website listed the following issues:[62]

  • Protecting our Natural Resources
Excerpt: "Dianne increased fleetwide fuel economy standards for cars, trucks and SUVs by at least 10 miles per gallon over 10 years or from 25 mpg to 35 mpg by Model Year 2020 – the largest increase in more than two decades, and the first Congressional action on global warming."
  • Fighting Crime and Drug Trafficking
Excerpt: "Dianne worked for eight years in the successful effort to give victims of violent crime a core set of procedural rights under federal law and ensuring that they have standing to assert their rights before a court."
  • Improving our Health
Excerpt: "Dianne supported The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which overhauled health insurance in the nation, lowering costs and ensuring choice for all Americans."
  • Protecting our National Security
Excerpt: "As Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Dianne took a leading role in enacting the first Intelligence Authorization bill in six years. This bill improves oversight, strengthens the Director of National Intelligence’s ability to manage the intelligence agencies, and improves intelligence acquisition and budgeting practices. "

Elections

2012

See also: United States Senate elections in California, 2012

Feinstein won re-election to the U.S. Senate in 2012.[63] She and Elizabeth Emken (R) advanced past the blanket primary on June 5, 2012, defeating Colleen Shea Fernald (D), David Alex Levitt (D), Nak Shah (D), Diane Stewart (D), Mike Strimling (D), John Boruff (R), Oscar Alejandro Braun (R), Greg Conlon (R), Rogelio Gloria (R), Dan Hughes (R), Dennis Jackson (R), Dirk Konopik (R), Donald Krampe (R), Robert Lauten (R), Al Ramirez (R), Nachum Shifren (R), Orly Taitz (R), Rick Williams (R), Gail Lightfoot (L), Kabiruddin Karim Ali (Peace and Freedom), Marsha Feinland (Peace and Freedom) and Don Grundmann (Independent). They faced off in the general election on November 6, 2012, and Feinstein won.[64][65][1]

U.S. Senate, California General Election, 2012
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngDianne Feinstein Incumbent 62.5% 7,864,624
     Republican Elizabeth Emken 37.5% 4,713,887
Total Votes 12,578,511
Source: California Secretary of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election"

Full history


Campaign donors

Fundraising events

The below chart from Find The Best tracks the fundraising events Feinstein attends.

Source: This graphic was generated by Find The Best.


Comprehensive donor history

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf.
Why is that? While candidates and parties must file detailed expenditure reports, independent organizations and unions are not required to file reports in every case. Outside groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer.

Comprehensive donor information for Feinstein is available dating back to 2000. Based on available campaign finance records, Feinstein raised a total of $34,524,710 during that time period. This information was last updated on March 25, 2013.[69][70]
Dianne Feinstein Campaign Contribution History
Year Office Result Contributions
2012 U.S. Senate (California) Won $9,797,542
2006 U.S. Senate (California) Won $12,200,678
2000 U.S. Senate (California) Won $12,526,490
Grand Total Raised $34,524,710
Source: This graphic was generated by Find The Best.

2013

Lobbyist contributions

In an analysis by Open Secrets of the Top 10 Recipients of Contributions from Lobbyists in 2013, Feinstein was 1 of 115 members of Congress who did not report any contributions from lobbyists in 2013 as of July 3, 2013.[71]

2012

Feinstein won re-election to the U.S. Senate in 2012. During that election cycle, Feinstein's campaign committee raised a total of $9,797,542 and spent $12,152,230.[72] This is more than the average $10.2 million spent by Senate winners in 2012.[73]

Cost per vote

Feinstein spent $1.54 per vote received in 2012.


2006

Feinstein won re-election to the U.S. Senate in 2006. During that re-election cycle, Feinstein's campaign committee raised a total of $12,200,678 and spent $9,403,030.[74]

Her top five contributors between 2001-2006 were:


Personal Gain Index

Congressional Personal Gain Index graphic.png
See also: Personal Gain Index (U.S. Congress)

The Personal Gain Index (U.S. Congress) is a two-part measurement that illustrates the extent to which members of the U.S. Congress have prospered during their tenure as public servants.
It consists of two different metrics:

PGI: Change in net worth

See also: Changes in Net Worth of U.S. Senators and Representatives (Personal Gain Index) and Net worth of United States Senators and Representatives
Net Worth Metric graphic.png

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org, Feinstein's net worth as of 2012 was estimated between $42,673,137 and $94,220,020. That averages to $68,446,578, which is higher than the average net worth of Democratic senators in 2012 of $13,566,333.90. Feinstein ranked as the 4th most wealthy senator in 2012.[75] Between 2004 and 2012, Feinstein's calculated net worth[76] decreased by an average of 1 percent per year. Between 2004 and 2012, the average annual percentage increase for a member of Congress was 15.4 percent.[77]

Dianne Feinstein Yearly Net Worth
YearAverage Net Worth
2004$75,075,191
2012$68,446,578
Growth from 2004 to 2012:-9%
Average annual growth:-1%[78]
Comparatively, the American citizen experienced a median yearly decline in net worth of -0.94%.[79]
The data used to calculate changes in net worth may include changes resulting from assets gained through marriage, inheritance, changes in family estates and/or trusts, changes in family business ownership, and many other variables unrelated to a member's behavior in Congress.

PGI: Donation Concentration Metric

See also: The Donation Concentration Metric (U.S. Congress Personal Gain Index)

Filings required by the Federal Election Commission report on the industries that give to each candidate. Using campaign filings and information calculated by OpenSecrets.org, Ballotpedia calculated the percentage of donations by industry received by each incumbent over the course of his or her career (or 1989 and later, if elected prior to 1988). In the 113th Congress, Feinstein is the Chair of the United States Senate Committee on Intelligence. Feinstein received the most donations from individuals and PACs employed by the Lawyers/Law Firms industry.

From 1991-2014, 17.42 percent of Feinstein's career contributions came from the top five industries as listed below.[80]

Donation Concentration Metric graphic.png
Dianne Feinstein Campaign Contributions
Total Raised $57,492,721
Total Spent $56,146,948
Chair of the United States Senate Committee on Intelligence
Top five industries that contributed to campaign committee
Lawyers/Law Firms$3,425,172
Retired$1,998,799
Real Estate$1,649,997
TV/Movies/Music$1,499,991
Securities & Investment$1,439,780
% total in top industry5.96%
% total in top two industries9.43%
% total in top five industries17.42%

Analysis

Ideology and leadership

See also: GovTrack's Political Spectrum & Legislative Leadership ranking

Based on an analysis of bill sponsorship by GovTrack, Feinstein was a "rank-and-file Democrat" as of July 2014. This was the same rating Feinstein received in June 2013.[81]

Like-minded colleagues

The website OpenCongress tracks the voting records of each member to determine with whom he or she votes most and least often. The results include a member from each party.[82]

Feinstein most often votes with:

Feinstein least often votes with:

Source: This graphic was generated by Find The Best.

Lifetime voting record

See also: Lifetime voting records of United States Senators and Representatives

According to the website GovTrack, Feinstein missed 174 of 7,645 roll call votes from February 1993 to September 2015. This amounts to 2.3 percent, which is worse than the median of 1.6 percent among current senators as of September 2015.[83]

Congressional staff salaries

See also: Staff salaries of United States Senators and Representatives

The website Legistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. Feinstein paid her congressional staff a total of $4,125,359 in 2011. She ranked 2nd on the list of the highest paid Democratic senatorial staff salaries and ranked 2nd overall of the highest paid senatorial staff salaries in 2011. Overall, California ranked 1st in average salary for senatorial staff. The average U.S. Senate congressional staff was paid $2,529,141.70 in fiscal year 2011.[84]

National Journal vote ratings

See also: National Journal vote ratings

Each year National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of Congress voted in the previous year. Click the link above for the full ratings of all members of Congress.

2013

Feinstein ranked 22nd in the liberal rankings among U.S. senators in 2013.[85]

2012

Feinstein ranked 26th in the liberal rankings among U.S. senators in 2012.[86]

2011

Feinstein ranked 15th in the liberal rankings among U.S. senators in 2011.[87]

Voting with party

The website OpenCongress tracks how often members of Congress vote with the majority of the chamber caucus.

2014

Feinstein voted with the Democratic Party 96.3 percent of the time, which ranked 18th among the 53 Senate Democratic members as of July 2014.[88]

2013

Feinstein voted with the Democratic Party 95.8 percent of the time, which ranked 13th among the 52 Senate Democratic members as of June 2013.[89]

2016 Democratic National Convention

See also: Democratic National Convention, 2016
Dianne Feinstein
Democratic National Convention, 2016
Status:Superdelegate
State:California
Supporting:Hillary Clinton
Delegates to the DNC 2016
Calendar and delegate rules overview • Types of delegates • State election law and delegates • Superdelegates by state
Feinstein was a superdelegate to the 2016 Democratic National Convention from California.[90] Feinstein was one of 75 superdelegates from California. Superdelegates to the 2016 Democratic National Convention were not bound by the results of their state’s primary or caucus to support a specific presidential candidate. Feinstein supported Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination.[91] Clinton formally won the Democratic nomination for president on July 26, 2016.[92]

What is a superdelegate?

See also: Superdelegates and the 2016 Democratic National Convention

Superdelegates, in 2016, were automatic delegates to the Democratic National Convention, meaning that, unlike regular delegates, they were not elected to this position. Also unlike regular delegates, they were not required to pledge their support to any presidential candidate, and they were not bound by the results of their state's presidential primary election or caucus. In 2016, superdelegates included members of the Democratic National Committee, Democratic members of Congress, Democratic governors, and distinguished party leaders, including former presidents and vice presidents. All superdelegates were free to support any presidential candidate of their choosing at the 2016 Democratic National Convention.[93]

California primary results

See also: Presidential election in California, 2016

In California's Democratic primary—which took place on June 7, 2016—475 pledged delegates were at stake, more than any other state in the 2016 Democratic nominating season. California's delegate haul represented almost 20 percent of the 2,383 delegates needed to secure the Democratic nomination and almost 12 percent of the 4,038 pledged delegates up for grabs in 2016. Polling from March and April showed Hillary Clinton with a lead in California over rival Bernie Sanders, ranging from six to 14 points. In 2008, Clinton won the state over Barack Obama 52 to 43 percent. California's pledged delegates were allocated on a proportional basis. California's seventy-three superdelegates were not required to adhere to the results of the June 7 primary election.

California Democratic Primary, 2016
Candidate Vote % Votes Delegates
Green check mark transparent.pngHillary Clinton 54.2% 2,580,865 269
Bernie Sanders 44.9% 2,135,718 206
Roque De La Fuente 0.2% 7,757 0
Henry Hewes 0.1% 6,997 0
Keith Judd 0.1% 6,771 0
Michael Steinberg 0.2% 10,247 0
Willie Wilson 0.2% 11,260 0
Totals 4,759,615 475
Source: The New York Times and California Secretary of State

Delegate allocation

See also: 2016 presidential nominations: calendar and delegate rules
Democratic Party Logo.png

California had 551 delegates at the 2016 Democratic National Convention. Of this total, 476 were "pledged delegates." National party rules stipulated how Democratic delegates in all states were allocated. Pledged delegates were allocated to a candidate in proportion to the votes he or she received in a state's primary or caucus. A candidate was eligible to receive a share of the state's pledged delegates if he or she won at least 15 percent of the votes cast in the primary or caucus. There were three types of pledged Democratic delegates: congressional district delegates, at-large delegates, and party leaders and elected officials (PLEOs). Congressional district delegates were allocated proportionally based on the primary or caucus results in a given district. At-large and PLEO delegates were allocated proportionally based on statewide primary results.[94][95]

Seventy-five party leaders and elected officials served as unpledged delegates. These delegates were not required to adhere to the results of a state's primary or caucus.[94][96]

Personal

Email [email protected] to notify us of updates to this biography.

Feinstein is married to Richard Blum and has one child and three stepchildren.

2013 worst year

Feinstein was named by The Hill as a member of Congress who had one of the worst years in 2013.[97]

Recent news

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See also

External links

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Political Tracker has an article on:
Dianne Feinstein


Footnotes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 CNN "California Senate Race - 2012 Election Center"
  2. ↑ Inyo Register, "Changes Coming to Elections," accessed February 18, 2012
  3. ↑ Biographical Director of the United States Congress, "Dianne Feinstein," accessed October 20, 2011
  4. ↑ United States Senate, "Committee Assignments of the 114th Congress," accessed February 17, 2015
  5. ↑ Congressional Quarterly, "Senate Committee List," accessed January 18, 2003
  6. ↑ Congressional Record, "Resume of Congressional Activity, First Session of the 113th Congress," accessed April 29, 2015
  7. ↑ Congressional Record, "Resume of Congressional Activity, First Session of the One Hundred Fourteenth Congress," April 13, 2015
  8. ↑ Congress.gov, "HR 1314," accessed May 25, 2015
  9. ↑ Senate.gov, "H.R. 1314 (Ensuring Tax Exempt Organizations the Right to Appeal Act)," accessed May 25, 2015
  10. ↑ Senate.gov, "Roll Call for HR 2146," June 24, 2015
  11. ↑ The Hill, "Senate approves fast-track, sending trade bill to White House," June 24, 2015
  12. ↑ The Hill, "Obama signs trade bills," June 29, 2015
  13. ↑ Congress.gov, "S.Con.Res.11," accessed May 5, 2015
  14. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Conference Report (Conference Report to Accompany S. Con. Res. 11)," accessed May 5, 2015
  15. ↑ The Hill, "Republicans pass a budget, flexing power of majority," accessed May 5, 2015
  16. ↑ The Hill, "Redone defense policy bill sails through House," accessed November 12, 2015
  17. ↑ Congress.gov, "S. 1356," accessed November 12, 2015
  18. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Motion (Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to S. 1356)," accessed November 12, 2015
  19. ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 618," accessed November 12, 2015
  20. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture Re: Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 1735)," accessed October 6, 2015
  21. ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 239," accessed May 27, 2015
  22. ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R. 1735," accessed May 27, 2015
  23. ↑ Congress.gov, "HR 1314 - Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015," accessed November 1, 2015
  24. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Motion (Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 1314)," accessed November 1, 2015
  25. ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 579," accessed November 1, 2015
  26. ↑ Congress.gov, "HR 1191," accessed May 8, 2015
  27. ↑ Senate.gov, "H.R. 1191," accessed May 8, 2015
  28. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture on McConnell Amdt. No. 2640 )," accessed September 10, 2015
  29. ↑ Congress.gov, "HJ Res 61," accessed September 10, 2015
  30. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture on McConnell Amdt. No. 2640 )," accessed September 16, 2015
  31. ↑ Congress.gov, "HJ Res 61," accessed September 10, 2015
  32. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture on McConnell Amdt. No. 2640 )," accessed September 17, 2015
  33. ↑ Congress.gov, "S.Amdt.2656 to S.Amdt.2640," accessed September 17, 2015
  34. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture on McConnell Amdt. No. 2656)," accessed September 17, 2015
  35. ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.2048," accessed May 26, 2015
  36. ↑ Senate.gov, "On Passage of the Bill (H.R. 2048)," accessed June 2, 2015
  37. ↑ Congress.gov, "S 754," accessed November 1, 2015
  38. ↑ Senate.gov, "On Passage of the Bill (S. 754, As Amended)," accessed November 1, 2015
  39. ↑ Congress.gov, "S 2146," accessed November 2, 2015
  40. ↑ Senate.gov, "On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed (Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Motion to Proceed to S. 2146)," accessed November 2, 2015
  41. ↑ Congressional Record, "Resume of Congressional Activity, First Session of the 112th Congress," accessed September 5, 2013
  42. ↑ Congressional Record, "Resume of Congressional Activity, Second Session of the 113th Congress," accessed March 4, 2014
  43. ↑ Project Vote Smart, "PN 48 - Nomination of John Brennan to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency - Voting Record," accessed September 25, 2013
  44. ↑ Senate.gov, "H.R. 2642 (Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013)," accessed February 12, 2014
  45. ↑ NY Times, "Senate Passes Long-Stalled Farm Bill, With Clear Winners and Losers," accessed February 12, 2014
  46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 Politico, "Senate approves $1.1 trillion spending bill," accessed January 20, 2014
  47. ↑ 47.0 47.1 47.2 U.S. Senate, "January 16 Vote," accessed January 20, 2014
  48. ↑ Roll Call, "House Passes $1.1 Trillion Omnibus," accessed January 20, 2014
  49. ↑ The Washington Post, "Reid, McConnell propose bipartisan Senate bill to end shutdown, extend borrowing," accessed October 16, 2013
  50. ↑ Senate.gov, "H.R. 2775 As Amended," accessed October 31, 2013
  51. ↑ Washington Post, "Which lawmakers will refuse their pay during the shutdown?" accessed October 3, 2013
  52. ↑ Project Vote Smart, "HR 325 - To Ensure the Complete and Timely Payment of the Obligations of the United States Government Until May 19, 2013 - Voting Record," accessed September 25, 2013
  53. ↑ Project Vote Smart, "S Amdt 1197 - Requires the Completion of the Fence Along the United States-Mexico Border - Voting Record," accessed September 25, 2013
  54. ↑ Project Vote Smart, "S 47 - Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 - Voting Record," accessed September 25, 2013
  55. ↑ U.S. Senate, "Roll Call Vote on the Fiscal Cliff," accessed January 4, 2013
  56. ↑ 56.0 56.1 On The Issues, "Dianne Feinstein Vote Match," accessed May 20, 2015
  57. ↑ The questions in the quiz are broken down into two sections: social and economic. In social questions, liberals and Libertarians agree in choosing the less-government answers, while conservatives and populists agree in choosing the more restrictive answers. For the economic questions, conservatives and Libertarians agree in choosing the less-government answers, while liberals and populists agree in choosing the more restrictive answers.
  58. ↑ MSNBC, "Dianne Feinstein ‘still believes’ in Hillary for president," December 16, 2013
  59. ↑ The Desert Sun, "Feinstein: Bypass Congress to create California monuments," August 22, 2015
  60. ↑ 60.0 60.1 The Washington Post, "Feinstein: CIA searched Intelligence Committee computers," March 11, 2014
  61. ↑ 61.0 61.1 61.2 The Washington Times, "Obama, Feinstein reignite fight for gun control after Navy Yard shooting," September 16, 2013
  62. ↑ Campaign website, "Issues," accessed July 30, 2012
  63. ↑ Dianne Feinstein 2012 campaign website, "Home," accessed January 24, 2012
  64. ↑ California Secretary of State, "Certified list of candidates," accessed June 1, 2012 (dead link)
  65. ↑ California Secretary of State, "Unofficial election results," accessed November 7, 2012 (dead link)
  66. ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 2006," accessed March 28, 2013
  67. ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 2000," accessed March 28, 2013
  68. ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 8, 1994," accessed March 28, 2013
  69. ↑ Open Secrets, "Career Fundraising for Dianne Feinstein," accessed March 25, 2013
  70. ↑ The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties, likely representing only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. See this page for more details.
  71. ↑ Open Secrets, "Top Recipients of Lobbyists Cash in 2013," accessed July 3, 2013
  72. ↑ Open Secrets, "Dianne Feinstein 2012 Election Cycle," accessed February 19, 2013
  73. ↑ Open Secrets, "Election 2012: The Big Picture Shows Record Cost of Winning a Seat in Congress," accessed June 19, 2013
  74. ↑ Open Secrets, "Dianne Feinstein 2006 Election Cycle," accessed October 22, 2011
  75. ↑ OpenSecrets, "Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif), 2012," accessed March 4, 2013
  76. ↑ This figure represents the average annual percentage growth from either 2004 (if the member entered office in 2004 or earlier) or their first year in office (as noted in the chart below) to 2012, divided by the number of years calculated.
  77. ↑ This number was found by dividing each member's total net worth growth percentage by the number of years included in the calculation.
  78. ↑ This figure represents the total percentage growth divided by the number of years for which there are net worth figures for each member.
  79. ↑ This figure was calculated using median asset data from the Census Bureau. Please see the Congressional Net Worth data for Ballotpedia spreadsheet for more information on this calculation.
  80. ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Sen. Dianne Feinstein," accessed September 18, 2014
  81. ↑ GovTrack, "Dianne Feinstein," accessed July 17, 2014
  82. ↑ OpenCongress, "Dianne Feinstein," accessed September 23, 2015
  83. ↑ GovTrack, "Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D)," accessed September 23, 2015
  84. ↑ LegiStorm, "Dianne Feinstein," accessed August 6, 2012
  85. ↑ National Journal, "2013 Senate Vote Ratings," accessed July 17, 2014
  86. ↑ National Journal, "2012 Congressional Vote Ratings," February 21, 2013
  87. ↑ National Journal, "Searchable Vote Ratings Tables: Senate," accessed February 23, 2012
  88. ↑ OpenCongress, "Voting With Party," accessed July 2014
  89. ↑ OpenCongress, "Voting With Party," accessed July 2014
  90. ↑ Ballotpedia's list of superdelegates to the 2016 Democratic National Convention is based on our own research and lists provided by the Democratic National Committee to Vox.com in February 2016 and May 2016. If you think we made an error in identifying superdelegates, please send an email to [email protected].
  91. ↑ FiveThirtyEight, “The Endorsement Primary,” accessed May 31, 2016
  92. ↑ To find out which candidate a superdelegate supported, Ballotpedia sought out public statements from the superdelegate in other media outlets and on social media. If we were unable to find a public statement that clearly articulated which candidate the superdelegate supported at the national convention, we listed that superdelegate as "unknown." If you believe we made an error in identifying which candidate a superdelegate supported, please email us at [email protected].
  93. ↑ Congressional Research Service, "The Presidential Nominating Process and the National Party Conventions, 2016: Frequently Asked Questions," December 30, 2015
  94. ↑ 94.0 94.1 Democratic National Committee, "2016 Democratic National Convention Delegate/Alternate Allocation," updated February 19, 2016
  95. ↑ CNN.com, "Democratic National Convention Roll Call," accessed July 26, 2016
  96. ↑ Democratic National Committee's Office of Party Affairs and Delegate Selection, "Unpledged Delegates -- By State," May 27, 2016
  97. ↑ The Hill, "Best, worst years in Washington," accessed January 13, 2014
Political offices
Preceded by
John F. Seymour 		U.S. Senate - California
1993-Present 		Succeeded by
-
v • e
California's current delegation to the United States Congress
Senators
Barbara Boxer (D) • Dianne Feinstein (D)
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Representatives
Doug LaMalfa (R) • Jared Huffman (D) • John Garamendi (D) • Tom McClintock (R) • Mike Thompson (D) • Doris Matsui (D) • Ami Bera (D) • Paul Cook (R) • Jerry McNerney (D) • Jeff Denham (R) • Mark DeSaulnier (D) • Nancy Pelosi (D) • Barbara Lee (D) • Jackie Speier (D) • Eric Swalwell (D) • Jim Costa (D) • Mike Honda (D) • Anna Eshoo (D) • Zoe Lofgren (D) • Sam Farr (D) • David G. Valadao (R) • Devin Nunes (R) • Kevin McCarthy (R) • Lois Capps (D) • Stephen Knight (R) • Julia Brownley (D) • Judy Chu (D) • Adam Schiff (D) • Tony Cardenas (D) • Brad Sherman (D) • Pete Aguilar (D) • Grace Napolitano (D) • Ted Lieu (D) • Xavier Becerra (D) • Norma Torres (D) • Raul Ruiz (D) • Karen Bass (D) • Linda Sanchez (D) • Edward Royce (R) • Lucille Roybal-Allard (D) • Mark Takano (D) • Ken Calvert (R) • Maxine Waters (D) • Janice Hahn (D) • Mimi Walters (R) • Loretta Sanchez (D) • Alan Lowenthal (D) • Dana Rohrabacher (R) • Darrell Issa (R) • Duncan Hunter (R) • Juan Vargas (D) • Scott Peters (D) • Susan Davis (D)
Other states' delegations
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