GOP blocks Democratic effort to replace Feinstein on Judiciary panel
CNN
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Republicans on Tuesday formally blocked Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s request to temporarily replace Sen. Dianne Feinstein on the Judiciary Committee, which Democrats hope to advance stalled judicial nominations.
Senate Democrats are seeking to temporarily replace Feinstein on the powerful panel that handles judicial nominations, as the California Democrat is absent while still recovering from shingles.
However, Senate Republicans have made clear they are ready to block Democratic efforts to replace Feinstein on committees, increasing pressure on the 89-year-old California Democrat to resign or return quickly.
Feinstein’s return date remains unclear; Just asked last week The committee members will be replaced “temporarily” while she recovers.
Schumer made his motion Tuesday, talking about his friendship with Feinstein and highlighting her accomplishments.
“Today, not only as a leader, but as a friend, I respect Diana’s wishes until she returns to the Senate,” Schumer said.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, opposed Schumer’s request but also praised the California Democrat. He believes Schumer’s move is an effort to get more judges confirmed.
“She is a dear friend and we wish her a speedy recovery and her return to the Senate. With all due respect to my colleague, Senator Schumer, this is about a handful of judges that you can’t get the votes for,” Graham said.
Democrats could still force a vote to replace Feinstein, but that would require the support of 10 Republicans, and it’s unlikely they would use a lot of precious floor time to do something with little chance of success.
Feinstein, who has announced she will not seek reelection, initially said she expected to return to Washington “before the end of her term in March,” but that her return was “delayed due to ongoing complications related to my diagnosis.”
She recently said she planned to return “as soon as my medical team advises me it is safe to travel.”
Kadin told CNN on Tuesday that he had discussed serving as an interim replacement on the committee with Schumer, but that he had not yet discussed the decision with Feinstein.
The Maryland Democrat said he and Feinstein have not spoken since she left the Senate and that he understands it was a temporary move before she returns.
“I recognize the importance of committee membership so that we can conduct business. I think this is one way to respond to the current situation,” Kadin said.
democrat 60 votes needed to replace Feinstein panel members, but leadership and top Republicans on the committee made clear Monday they would not vote for them to do so. If Feinstein doesn’t return soon, at least 12 and possibly more nominations could be stalled.
If Democrats fail to replace Feinstein, or if she doesn’t return to Washington soon, they could see key agenda items blocked in both committees and the Senate.
Asked whether the California Democrat should consider resigning if she doesn’t return by May, Schumer responded that he “hopes” she returns “soon.”
“Look, I spoke with Senator Feinstein a few days ago, and she and I are very hopeful that she’ll be back soon,” Schumer said during his weekly policy news conference at the U.S. Capitol.
Feinstein announced in February that she Will not run for re-election, Many Democrats have already launched campaigns for her seat in 2024, and the primary will be hotly contested.
Many congressional Democrats remain largely supportive of her decision to remain in office while she is absent from the Capitol while recovering from shingles.
But Feinstein faces calls from two House Democrats to resign, a number that could start to grow if Democrats fail to replace her on committees.
Senate Judiciary Chairman Dick Durbin Recently recognized by CNN Feinstein’s absence slowed the party’s efforts to confirm its nominee. But Durbin stopped short of calling for Feinstein to resign, saying he hoped Republicans would help temporarily replace her on the committee, recognizing that “rain will fall on both sides of the road.”
Asked whether her absence would have a longer-term impact on Democrats’ ability to confirm their nominees, the Illinois Democrat said, “Yes, of course it will,” noting that she was scheduled to have precious speaking time. Bringing nominees to a vote is a lengthy process.
Republican Sen. John Cornyn, the ranking member of the Judiciary Committee and a close adviser to McConnell, told CNN that he opposes efforts to replace Feinstein on the committee.
“I don’t think Republicans can and should help President Biden’s most controversial nominee,” the Texas Republican said. “I support bringing Senator Feinstein back as quickly as possible. But this effort to confirm a controversial and in many cases largely unqualified nominee, I don’t think you can count on Republicans to cooperate.”
This story has been updated with additional information.
