Senator Gillibrand Defends Feinstein in Face of Opposition from Key Senate Republicans

Yesterday, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) spoke out in defense of her colleague, Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), after key Senate Republicans voiced their opposition to temporarily replacing Feinstein on the Judiciary Committee. The issue has left Democrats in a difficult position, as several of President Joe Biden’s judicial nominees are currently being held up in the committee.

Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), a senior member of the committee and close ally of party leaders, stated that Republicans would not be willing to help Democrats advance controversial or unqualified nominees on a party-line basis. Gillibrand argued that Feinstein should be allowed to decide when she leaves office before the end of her term.

“They all deserve a chance to get better and come back to work,” Gillibrand said in defense of Feinstein. “These are, by definition, the most controversial nominees,” Cornyn added.

It is true that many Senators, most of whom are over 65, have experienced health problems that have taken them away from the Senate. However, they have not been pressured to leave office in the same way Feinstein is currently being pressured.

The issue has left Democrats in a difficult position, as several of President Joe Biden’s judicial nominees are currently being held up in the committee. It remains to be seen how the situation will be resolved, and whether Feinstein will be allowed to remain in office until the end of her term.