The 89-year-old California Democrat has said she is committed to returning to the Senate once she has recovered.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein ( Photo: CNBC )
Senator Dianne Feinstein has asked to be temporarily replaced on the Senate Judiciary Committee while she recovers from shingles
Feinstein had expected to return to Washington in March, but complications related to her diagnosis have delayed her return. Feinstein’s absence has delayed the important work of the Judiciary Committee, and a rare instance of lawmakers urging a member of their own party to step down from Congress has occurred.
Representative Ro Khanna of California has called for her resignation, a sentiment echoed by another House Democrat on Twitter. Khanna is co-chair of Democratic Representative Barbara Lee‘s campaign to fill Feinstein’s Senate seat in 2024.
Feinstein’s absence has slowed down the party’s push to confirm nominees, according to Senate Judiciary Chairman Dick Durbin
He acknowledged that her absence would have long-term ramifications for the Democrats’ ability to confirm nominees. In order to replace her on the committee, a resolution must be agreed upon to name another member to the panel. Typically, members are named to committees as part of an organizing resolution at the beginning of a new Senate session.
Feinstein announced in February that she would not run for re-election, and a number of Democrats have already launched campaigns for Feinstein’s seat in 2024. Democratic Representative Dean Phillips of Minnesota responded to Khanna’s Wednesday tweet saying that he agreed.
Phillips tweeted that while Feinstein is a remarkable American whose contributions to the country are immeasurable, he believes it is now a dereliction of duty to remain in the Senate and a dereliction of duty for those who agree to remain quiet.
