WASHINGTON ‒ California Sen. Laphonza Butler is the lone African American woman in the Senate and only the third Black woman to ever serve in the chamber. Six months into the job, the Democratic ...

WASHINGTON – California's newest senator, Laphonza Butler, became the first Black lesbian to openly serve in Congress on Tuesday. Vice President Kamala Harris administered the oath to her close ...

Butler, appointed to the U.S. Senate by California Gov. Gavin Newsom after the death of Dianne Feinstein, leaves office after 14 months as Rep. Adam B. Schiff is sworn in Monday.