Rep. Ro Khanna Calls for Sen. Dianne Feinstein to Resign Amid Extended Absence from Senate

California Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna has called for California Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein to resign, citing her extended absence from the Senate due to health issues. Feinstein, 89, announced in early March that she had been hospitalized and was receiving treatment for shingles.

On March 7, Feinstein said on Twitter that she was recovering at home as she continued to receive treatment, and she said that she looked forward to returning to work. Khanna, however, argued that it is unacceptable for a Senator to be absent from the Senate for months at a time with no clear prospect of return.

In a tweet on Wednesday, Khanna said that it is incumbent on Governor Newsom and Senator Schumer to go to Feinstein and/or her family and/or her staff and say she needs to step down. He argued that not speaking out undermines the credibility of elected representatives of the people.

The idea of Feinstein resigning has been met with mixed reactions. Some people have argued that conversations about her resignation have already taken place, while others have argued that it is an undignified and unkind spectacle that shouldn’t be playing out on Twitter or in press stories.

Feinstein has been a Senator since 1992 and has been a strong advocate for numerous issues. Khanna argued that there is no issue she espouses that wouldn’t be advocated for by an appointed successor in 2023–24 and an elected one in 2025.