Khanna Rejects Pelosi’s Claim That Calls for Feinstein to Resign Are Sexist

Ro Khanna, a Democratic congressman from California, has rejected the comments of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi that calls for Senator Dianne Feinstein to resign are sexist.

Senator Feinstein has been absent from the Senate since February when she was diagnosed with shingles. Several Democratic lawmakers, including Khanna, have requested her resignation, believing her prolonged absence from Congress is delaying important committee work. 

Pelosi criticized these calls, suggesting they had roots in sexism. “I am unaware of the political agenda behind attacking Senator Feinstein in this way. I have never seen this insult directed at a male senator who was sick in this manner,” Pelosi told reporters on Capitol Hill.

Another Democrat lawmaker, Representative Norma Torres from California, similarly suggested that there was a gender-based double standard behind the call for Feinstein to resign.

Khanna pushed back and said that the call for Feinstein’s resignation has nothing to do with sexism. He was asked about Pelosi’s comments during an interview with Fox News’ America’s Newsroom. “I do not believe that gender is a factor in this,” Khanna said. “I do not know of any other job where you can continue to hold a position if you are incapable of fulfilling your duties.”

What Caused the Demand for Feinstein’s Resignation?

The absence of Feinstein, a key member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has prevented Democrats from advancing their nominees through the committee and to a vote on the Senate floor.
 

Khanna, who was the first Democratic lawmaker to call for Feinstein’s resignation, made a statement to NBC News explaining his reasons. “We have a crisis in the judiciary with extremist judges stripping away women’s rights. You can’t preach on television about the danger of these judges and then sit silently as Sen. Feinstein misses vote after vote to confirm pro-choice judges,” Khanna said. “It’s time for officials in California who care about reproductive rights to call for her to step down at this historic moment.”
 

Feinstein has responded to the calls for her resignation and proposed that the Senate appoint a temporary replacement to take her place on the Judiciary Committee.
 

“I understand that my absence could delay the important work of the Judiciary Committee, so I’ve asked [Senate Majority] Leader [Chuck] Schumer [D-N.Y.] to ask the Senate to allow another Democratic senator to temporarily serve until I’m able to resume my committee work,” Feinstein said in a statement.
 

She initially expected to return to work by the end of March but her return to Washington has been delayed due to complications related to her illness.

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is an illness that causes a painful skin rash, according to the National Institute of Health (NIH).