The absence of Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) has put Democrats in a difficult situation as they face Republican resistance in their efforts to find a temporary replacement for her on the Judiciary Committee.

Feinstein has been recovering from a case of shingles in California for over six weeks, leading to a deadlock on the panel due to her absence, the Washington Examiner reported.

As Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s absence from the Judiciary Committee drags on due to her recovery from shingles, Senate Democrats have been giving her space and time to recuperate. However, progressives have become increasingly impatient as her absence hinders Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s efforts to advance President Joe Biden’s judicial nominees through the committee.

The party’s left-wing, which has always been critical of Feinstein’s penchant for working across the aisle, has demanded her resignation.

The call for her resignation reached a fever pitch last week when two House Democrats, Reps. Ro Khanna (CA) and Dean Phillips (MN), became the first lawmakers to join the chorus.

Written by staff