Statement on the Passing of Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
(Washington, D.C. | September 29, 2023) Cathy Chase, President, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety: “Advocates is saddened to learn of the passing of California Senator Dianne Feinstein. To say Senator Feinstein will be missed is an understatement. Senator Feinstein was a trailblazer on so many fronts in her extraordinary public service career. During her 30 years on Capitol Hill, she led the way for many significant improvements in safety on our roadways, including standing up to segments of the trucking industry that were pushing for bigger, heavier trucks and working to ensure safe development and deployment of autonomous vehicles. In recognition of her work, Advocates presented Senator Feinstein with the 2019 Senator Frank R. Lautenberg Highway Safety Leadership Award, bestowed biennially to members of Congress who epitomize the same passion and fighting spirit as the late Senator from New Jersey. In December 2022, Advocates once again honored Senator Feinstein, this time with the Highway Safety Hero Award. Senator Feinstein demonstrated a dogged determination to advance safety improvements while also battling efforts that threaten roadway safety laws and regulations. Advocates is grateful to Senator Feinstein for her remarkable leadership and commitment to the safety of all. Our deepest condolences to her family, her staff and her many colleagues and friends on Capitol Hill, in California and throughout the nation.”
Joan Claybrook, Former Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and Chair, Citizens for Reliable and Safe Highways: “In a career of firsts and as the longest-serving woman in the U.S. Senate, Senator Dianne Feinstein’s tenure was one of the most remarkable in Senate history, and indeed in American history. She was respected for her persistence and determination in causes she believed in. Unlike many top public officials, she always made time to meet with and listen to public advocates. She was a true partner in the fight for safety standards to prevent or mitigate deadly motor vehicle crashes. While on the Senate Appropriations Committee, she fought trucking industry amendments that undercut safety. She was instrumental in preserving truck size and weight limits even in the face of the trucking industry orchestrated campaign to allow for bigger longer trucks, known as Double 33s. In addition, she successfully stopped the tech industry from securing exemptions from safety standards for autonomous vehicles, even though the tech industry is dominant in her home state of California. Because of her millions of Americans are safer on our roadways today. Her intelligence, leadership and focus on the safety of all Americans will be missed.”
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Media Contact: Helen Jonsen | hjonsen@saferoads.org 202-977-7534