Democrats in the U.S. Congress are demanding Democrat U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein of California resign after she missed a vote on a bill to repeal Joe Biden’s White House environmental measure, which narrowly passed due to her absence, with Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) voting with all Republicans in favor.
“When I was first diagnosed with shingles, I expected to return by the end of the March work period,” Feinstein wrote in a statement. “Unfortunately, my return to Washington has been delayed due to continued complications related to my diagnosis. 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 has already announced that she will retire after her current term is up. But that’s not good enough for ambitious Democrats ravenously vying to get an edge in the 2024 election to take her seat.
U.S. Reps. Barbara Lee, Katie Porter, and Adam Schiff are all vying to take Feinstein’s job.
Silicon Valley-area Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), who endorsed Lee, demanded Feinstein resign “gracefully,” writing, “Because Senator Feinstein was absent, the Senate overturned a Biden rule that would cut pollution from heavy duty trucks and causes harm to people’s lungs. We are putting decorum over democracy and our values. It’s time for Senator Feinstein to step down gracefully.”
Previously, Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) wrote, “Senator Feinstein is a remarkable American whose contributions to our country are immeasurable. But I believe it’s now a dereliction of duty to remain in the Senate and a dereliction of duty for those who agree to remain quiet.”
According to NBC News, “Gov. Gavin Newsom has said he’ll appoint a Black woman to the seat if Feinstein decides to retire early and creates a vacancy,” which could give Rep. Lee, who is black, an advantage over Schiff and Porter if Feinstein decides to resign before completing her final term.
She wants to maximise her retirement pay before she takes off to join her Chinese driver/ spy at a little love shack in the South China Sea…