democrats They seem divided on whether Sen. Diana Feinstein (D-Calif.) should resign given his long absence from the Senate that could prove a challenge to the president Joe Bidenthe party’s legislative agenda amid the party’s narrow majority in the chamber.
Feinstein, 89, who is recovering at her home in San Francisco after being hospitalized with a case of shinglesasked Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (DN.Y.) last week. to name a replacement for her on the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee after many of her colleagues raised concerns that her absence could hamper the confirmation of Biden’s judicial nominees.
However, the measure would require the approval of the Republican Party and it is not yet clear if republicans I would be willing to grant the request.
Meanwhile, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), one of the first Democrats to call for Feinstein’s resignation, said Sunday that his calls for her to step aside are out of respect for the American people who expect their civil servants seeking elected office to be up to the task.
“If you’re going to sign up to do these jobs, apply,” Khanna told “Fox News Sunday.”
Feinstein has so far lost 60 votes this year.
Khanna also contrasted the cases of Feinstein and Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), who recently was released from a hospital after spending six weeks get inpatient treatment for clinical depression and is expected to return to the Senate this week. Fetterman suffered a stroke during his campaign last year.
“It’s one thing to take a medical leave and come back, it’s another thing when you’re just not doing the job,” Khanna said, adding that Feinstein hasn’t clarified when he would be fit to return to Washington.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), who sits on the Judiciary Committee, said that while she takes Feinstein’s word that he plans to return to Washington, Democrats have many crucial votes coming up, including on the roof of the debt, which require the presence of the California senator.
Democrats hold a slim 51-49 majority in the Senate, while Republicans control the House of Representatives.
“If this continues month after month, then you’re going to have to make a decision with your family and your friends about what the future holds because it’s not just about California, it’s also about the nation,” Klobuchar told ABC. “This week.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who is meeting with Democrats, said Feinstein should be the one to determine his future in office.
“The decision on whether someone should resign is up to that person,” Sanders told MSNBC’s “Inside With Jen Psaki” on Sunday. “I don’t think she should be forced to leave.”
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) went one step further than Sanders, describing calls for Feinstein to leave the Senate as sexist and politically motivated.
“I’ve never seen them go after a man who was sick in the Senate like that,” Pelosi said.
Questions surrounding Feinstein also appear to pose a challenge for California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), who would name his replacement if Feinstein resigns.
Feinstein’s current term ends in January 2025. He is not seeking re-election.
Newsom in 2021 vowed to nominate a black woman in her place if she resignedand many have already suggested choosing Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), who is already running for Feinstein’s Senate seat in 2024.
However, such a move could alienate the other candidates in the race, Reps. Katie Porter and Adam Schiff.
Khanna, who endorses Lee in 2024 and serves as his campaign co-chair, said Newsom would also have the option of appointing a caretaker.
“He doesn’t have to nominate someone in the current race, and I would support the governor doing that,” Khanna told Fox News.