Facing calls to resign, Feinstein vows return with caveat

California’s octogenarian Democratic U.S. Senator, Dianne Feinstein, said in a statement released last week that she plans to return to her duties in the Senate.

The oldest serving member of the Senate revealed on March 2 that she was hospitalized for shingles treatment after being diagnosed with an infection in February. She was released from a San Francisco hospital on March , but has yet to return to Washington.

Feinstein, however, called on Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer D-N.Y. , to appoint a temporary replacement for her on the Senate Judiciary Committee, a move Republicans have vowed to thwart.

“When I was first diagnosed with shingles, I expected to return by the end of the March work period. Unfortunately, my return to Washington has been delayed due to continued complications related to my diagnosis,” Feinstein said in her Wednesday night statement.

“I intend to return as soon as possible once my medical team advises that it’s safe for me to travel. In the meantime, I remain committed to the job and will continue to work from home in San Francisco,” Feinstein continued.

“I understand that my absence could delay the important work of the Judiciary Committee, so I’ve asked Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to ask the Senate to allow another Dem- ocratic senator to temporarily serve until I’m able to resume my committee work,” she added.

A spokesperson for Schumer said that he would abide by Feinstein’s re uest. “Per Sen. Feinstein’s wishes, the Majority Leader will ask the Senate next week to allow another Democratic Senator to temporarily serve on the Judiciary Committee.”

The -year-old has missed 0 of the 2 votes taken in the

Senate so far in 2023, having been sidelined with a case of the shingles which has prevented her return to Washington. There has been increasing calls by prominent Democrats for Feinstein to resign, including Jonathan Lovett, a co-founder of Crooked Media, and a former speechwriter for President Barack Obama, Reps. Ro Khanna D-Calif. and Dean Phillips D-Minn. who tweeted their demand she step aside.

“It’s time for Feinstein to resign,” fellow California Democrat Khanna wrote in a tweet on Wednesday, becoming the first member of Congress to publicly demand that the senior senator step down.

“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,” he added.

Her absence has presented the Democratic majority Senate with obstacles in passing votes on key presidential nominations for the federal judiciary. Democrats hold an 11-10 advantage on the Judiciary Committee, making Feinstein’s absence even more acute than usual the Hill noted.

Feinstein had announced on Valentine’s Day that she would not seek reelection.

FROM STAFF REPORTS