A duo of Democrats in the House have publicly stated that Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) should step down from her position in office, which is not slated to end until over a year from now.
“It’s time for @SenFeinstein to resign. We need to put the country ahead of personal loyalty. While she has had a lifetime of public service, it is obvious she can no longer fulfill her duties. Not speaking out undermines our credibility as elected representatives of the people,” Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) posted online Wednesday.
Feinstein, who belongs to the Senate Judiciary Committee, reportedly left the Senate earlier this year after being diagnosed with shingles. According to Blaze Media, her time away has morphed the Democrats’ 10-9 majority on the body into a 9-9 tie with the GOP.
“We have a crisis in the judiciary with extremist judges stripping away women’s rights,” Khanna reportedly told NBC News as he explained his position. “You can’t preach on television about the danger of these judges and then sit silently as Senator Feinstein misses vote after vote to confirm pro-choice judges.”
The California representative proclaimed that California officials who “care deeply” about the right to end the life of a baby in the womb must call on her to resign at this historical time.
Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) announced his support of Khanna’s point on Twitter, writing that while he believes Feinstein is “a remarkable American” whose contributions to the U.S. cannot be measured, it is a “dereliction of duty” for her to stay in the Senate just as it is “for those who agree to remain quiet.”
I agree with @RoKhanna. Senator Feinstein is a remarkable American whose contributions to our country are immeasurable. But I believe it’s now a dereliction of duty to remain in the Senate and a dereliction of duty for those who agree to remain quiet. https://t.co/lvaHhLJYsi
— Rep. Dean Phillips 🇺🇸 (@RepDeanPhillips) April 12, 2023
The California representative responded to these calls for her resignation, with ABC7 reporting that despite missing dozens of votes since the middle of February she has no plans to step down. Feinstein did, however, reveal that she would temporarily leave her Senate committee.
“I intend to return as soon as possible once my medical team advises that it’s safe for me to travel,” Feinstein announced in a statement issued Wednesday.
“I understand that my absence could delay the important work of the Judiciary Committee, so I’ve asked Leader Schumer to ask the Senate to allow another Democratic senator to temporarily serve until I’m able to resume my committee work,” she explained.
Senator Feinstein: “I understand that my absence could delay the important work of the Judiciary Committee, so I’ve asked Leader Schumer to ask the Senate to allow another Democratic senator to temporarily serve until I’m able to resume my committee work.” pic.twitter.com/ZhjaJGcygl
— Stephen Sanchez (@SSanchezTV) April 13, 2023
In February, the soon-to-be 90-year-old Feinstein notably revealed she has zero intentions of running for office again in 2024.
“I am announcing today I will not run for reelection in 2024 but intend to accomplish as much for California as I can through the end of next year when my term ends,” Feinstein said at the time.
