Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) joined a growing chorus of Democrats calling on Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) to resign over her extended absence from the Senate.
Feinstein has been recovering in California since she was hospitalized in March with a case of shingles, with lawmakers in the dark about when she might return to Washington. Her absence has put a strain on Senate Democrats, who lack an outright majority in the upper chamber without her present.
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But the outrage has centered on the delays her absence is causing for President Joe Biden’s judicial nominees.
The Judiciary Committee, where she’s long held a seat, is deadlocked without her vote, meaning Democrats can’t advance the president’s judges to the floor without Republican support.
The bottleneck is holding up the nominations of more than a dozen judges.
The frustration boiled over on Tuesday as multiple progressive commentators, including former President Barack Obama’s onetime speechwriter, called on Feinstein to step down.
Khanna became the first House Democrat to make a similar plea on Wednesday, saying, “We need to put the country ahead of personal loyalty.”
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.
— Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) April 12, 2023
“While she has had a lifetime of public service, it is obvious she can no longer fulfill her duties,” he tweeted. “Not speaking out undermines our credibility as elected representatives of the people.”
Khanna, a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, passed on a run for Feinstein’s seat, choosing instead to back Rep. Barbara Lee’s (D-CA) candidacy. She is one of three House Democrats vying to replace Feinstein.
Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA), another contender for the seat, opted not to call for her resignation when asked about her absence on Tuesday. Instead, she floated the possibility of Feinstein being removed from the Judiciary Committee so nominations can proceed.
“Well, I think the solution on the judge’s portion is to have her removed from her committee if she’s not able to do her service,” she told MSNBC. “And I think that’s something she can talk about with Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. I think they’ll chart a path together. But of course I wish Sen. Feinstein well.”
Khanna’s call, however, has opened the door to more House lawmakers calling for Feinstein’s resignation.
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Shortly after Khanna tweeted, Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) said it would be a “dereliction of duty” for Feinstein to remain in the Senate.
“Senator Feinstein is a remarkable American whose contributions to our country are immeasurable,” he tweeted. “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.”
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
