No sooner had Deanna written about the Democrats wanting to kick Senator Dianne Feinstein to the curb, her office issued a statement last night. She’s requested to step down from her role on the Senate Judiciary Committee.

NEWS: Sen. Feinstein says she’s asked Schumer to move to replace her on the Judiciary Committee temporarily while she remains at home in California recovering from shingles.

No timetable for her return to Washington pic.twitter.com/nuyE5NuH4n

— Andrew Desiderio (@AndrewDesiderio) April 13, 2023

Senator Feinstein has been out for weeks battling what has turned into a severe case of shingles. Shingles is bad enough when one is in good or even moderately good health. Yet Feinstein is 89 and has been exhibiting other health issues the last couple of years, memory issues among them. So, it’s a concern on multiple levels that she’s stayed out this long. Especially when it comes to crucial votes on the Judiciary Committee.

Because Democrats hold a slim two-vote majority in the Senate, Feinstein’s absence has affected the process to confirm President Biden’s judicial nominees — just one of the few pieces of the president’s agenda that congressional Democrats can act on in this session, given that the House is in Republicans’ hands. When asked in a CNN interview Monday if the absence of Feinstein, who has missed at least 60 votes this year, affects the process on Capitol Hill, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Richard J. Durbin III (D-Ill.) said, “Of course it does.”

Her absence given that slim margin absolutely does have an impact on Senate business. Including that of confirming judicial nominees. 

Thus, after increasing calls by the Democrat sharks circling the water around her, Senator Feinstein had her office issue a statement. 

“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 a 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 Leader Schumer to ask the Senate to allow another Democratic senator to temporarily serve until I’m able to resume my committee work,” she added.

Currently there are at least fourteen nominees who’ve been stalled in the Judiciary committee with Feinstein’s absence. 

The Judiciary Committee, like the Senate overall, is narrowly divided. Democrats hold an 11-10 advantage on the panel. That means that with Ms. Feinstein absent, a nominee can be bottled up in committee if all Republicans oppose it.

The last judge to clear the committee was in early March.

Of course, the calls for her resignation aren’t about her role as a Senator. Nope, it’s totally about getting those liberal judges confirmed so they can go to work upending the system. 

Now that she is my Senator I finally feel even more emboldened to say: RESIGN. Do you know how many lifetime-appointed judges Trump was able to push through (like the one who just invalidated the FDA approval of mifepristone)? This is an emergency.

— Julia Claire (@ohJuliatweets) April 10, 2023

Good move Senator Feinstein – now let’s get those Biden judges confirmed!

Feinstein states that she intends to return ASAP once her doctor says it is safe to travel; has asked
Schumer to ask the Senate to allow another Democratic Senator to serve temporarily on Judiciary. pic.twitter.com/qXmfE2gRiv

— Christine Pelosi (@sfpelosi) April 13, 2023

Yes indeed, it’s all about getting those judges into position. That said, there are the issues concerning her overall health and it’s quite apropos to be concerned about her ability to serve. Although, for all the calls for her resignation, I find it interesting that Nancy Pelosi (while her daughter cheers on Feinstein stepping aside) has this take on the situation. 

Meanwhile, as we find out that there’s no specified date of return for Senator Feinstein as she deals with her health issues, there’s another Democrat who supposedly will resume his Senatorial duties next week. Yes, will John Fetterman return? Will he be able to fulfill his duties given his own health issues stemming from his stroke? That’s a very valid question. One the Democrats are NOT asking. 

We must always call out sexism. This is sexism.

Victor fails to demand that Fetterman resign – but pounces on the woman missing votes. https://t.co/Wz1m47dLDA

— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) April 12, 2023

The other question is this: Who will Chuck Schumer put in Feinstein’s place on the Judiciary Committee? I’m sure there are lots of contenders throwing their hats in the ring right now. 

Meanwhile, Ro Khanna, who called for Feinstein’s resignation had this to say. 

Yes this is Hamlet thinking about Julius Caeser or Alexander the Great after seeing Yorick’s skull. Still timeless reflections on our time in this world. https://t.co/OWi9WmZ0XO

— Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) April 13, 2023

Lovely isn’t that? Especially since he’s tweeting from his personal account, not his Congressional account. 

What all this speaks to is the health of those who are elected to serve us. Dianne Feinstein is 89 years old. Biden is 80. John Fetterman had a major stroke which was hidden from PA voters for weeks. The average age in the Senate hovers around 70 years old. That’s a problem for anyone let alone the ability to conduct this country’s business. 

Yes it is true, the less the government does means it’s the better for us all. However, when there are elected officials unable to serve, then it is totally reasonable to have them step aside. 

Realistically and honestly, Dianne Feinstein should resign. Yes that means Gavin ‘hair gel’ Newsom would get to appoint someone in her place, but right now, she’s a detriment to her constituents. 

Feature Photo Credit: Dianne Feinstein via Wikimedia commons, cropped and modified