Senate Republicans Block Feinstein’s Request to Temporarily Replace Her on Judiciary Committee

Senate Republicans have blocked a request from Democrats to temporarily replace Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) on the Senate Judiciary Committee while she recovers from shingles. Feinstein had requested the move herself, as she has been absent from the Senate since February and has been hospitalized for two weeks.

The move was met with opposition from Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee, effectively dooming the request. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called the move “flat wrong” and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Feinstein had “made her wish clear” to be removed “until she returns to the Senate.”

The request was made out of concern that the Judiciary Committee won’t be able to approve President Joe Biden’s judicial nominees, thus holding back Democratic priorities like abortion rights. Graham argued that the request was about “a handful of judges that you can’t get the votes for” and that he doesn’t believe those judges should be confirmed.

Feinstein, 89, has been a senator since 1992 and is the oldest member of the Senate. She is the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee and has been a key figure in the confirmation hearings of Supreme Court justices. Her absence has raised concerns among Democrats that her absence could impede the confirmation of Biden’s judicial nominees.

The Senate Republicans’ decision to block Feinstein’s request has been met with criticism from Democrats, who argue that it is unfair to sideline a temporary absent colleague from the Judiciary Committee. It remains to be seen how Feinstein’s absence will affect the confirmation of Biden’s judicial nominees.