Senator Dianne Feinstein's career was filled with firsts, including first woman mayor of San Francisco and one of two of the first women elected to the U.S. Senate from California.
Yes, after the recess which it mentions, it goes back to advise and consent. Obama could have forced a committee vote this way, but he would have lost in the end.
Presidential appointments to the Supreme Court still require a congressional hearing and a confirmation vote in the U.S. Senate.
https://newrepublic.com/article/138787/obama-can-put-merrick-garland-supreme-court
Yes, after the recess which it mentions, it goes back to advise and consent. Obama could have forced a committee vote this way, but he would have lost in the end.