Feinstein death inspired lawmakers to avoid shutdown, Pelosi says

California Democrat says loss of Feinstein may have focused politicians on, Let's get the job done to keep government open'

The death of the California senator Dianne Feinstein may have helped inspire US lawmakers to avoid a federal government shutdown, the former House speaker Nancy Pelosi said.

Speaking on Sunday, to CNN's State of the Union, the California Democrat mourned the loss of Feinstein and said: Some of the senators said that maybe her departure and the sadness that went with us focused people more on, Let's get the job done to keep government open for the people.'"