White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Friday said it was “flat wrong” for Republicans to block ailing Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s (D-Calif.) request to be temporarily replaced in the Senate Judiciary Committee while she continues to recover from shingles.
Feinstein, 89, has promised to return to Washington after being cleared by her doctor. He was hospitalized for two weeks in February and has since been absent from the Senate, raising concerns in his party that the Judiciary Committee will not be able to approve President Joe Biden’s judicial nomination, thereby holding back Democratic priorities like abortion rights. Many progressives are calling for him to retire early.
Republicans are not helping.
“Senate Republicans will not participate in removing temporary colleagues from the committee so that Democrats can force their worst nominees,” said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who returned to work this week after recovering from a fall.
Jean-Pierre blasted Republicans for not granting Feinstein a “reasonable” request.
“It is wrong to seek partisan advantage from a friend’s health issue,” he said. “The American people reject that kind of behavior or approach to governing.”
Jean-Pierre added that Feinstein should be respected in deciding her next step.
“When it comes to the future, her future, that’s what we have to do and we have to allow,” Jean-Pierre said.
But some Democrats disagree. Rep. Ro Khanna (R-Calif.) said Feinstein should resign out of respect for the American people.
“If you’re going to sign up to do this job, show up,” Khanna said on “Fox News Sunday.”
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was there told CNN it would be “appropriate” for Feinstein to consider resigning.
Feinstein said she will not seek re-election but wants to serve out her current term, which ends in January 2025. If she steps down sooner, California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) will appoint a replacement.
Several prominent Democrats have announced campaigns for the 2024 election for Feinstein’s seat, including Representatives Barbara Lee, Adam Schiff and Katie Porter.