Over 60 California progressive groups urge Feinstein to resign

More than 60 liberal grassroots groups sent a letter to Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) on Friday asking her to resign, saying her extended absence in the Senate threatens her “storied legacy.”

The organizations, which claim to represent more than 100,000 Californians, emphasized that her absence since late February is hindering President Joe Biden’s agenda on the Senate Judiciary Committee and in the chamber overall. The letter came from Activate America, Berkeley Now, Change begins with ME, Democracy Action Marin, Feminists in Action Los Angeles, Generation Blue, and chapters of Indivisible from across the state.

DEMOCRATS STOP WAITING ON FEINSTEIN TO MOVE BIDEN JUDGES

“We ask that you resign from the Senate to focus on your health,” the groups said in the letter. “Scores of Biden-nominated judges await confirmation. We must tap every possible vote in the Senate to contain the larger Republican threat to freedom and liberty in our country.”

Feinstein’s absence has left Democrats unable to move judges without Republican support, creating a logjam on the committee that has led to growing pressure for her to resign. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) tried to swap out Feinstein’s membership on the Judiciary Committee with Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) earlier this week, but Republicans blocked the effort on Tuesday.

Schumer told reporters repeatedly this week he has spoken with Feinstein in recent days and that she’s “very hopeful” she will return to Washington soon, although he did not present any kind of time frame.

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, made clear that Senate Democrats will move forward and focus on moving judges that can attract bipartisan support. The panel held its first markup hearing in six weeks on Thursday and scheduled 12 district court nominees for consideration. The committee ultimately voted to advance seven, its first judicial votes since March 9, and Durbin announced it “will continue to call and vote on these nominations” in her absence.

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Without Feinstein on the high-profile panel, Democrats are unable to move forward with subpoenaing witnesses to discuss the Supreme Court’s ethics rules in the wake of reports that Justice Clarence Thomas accepted luxury gifts from GOP megadonor Harlan Crow without disclosing them.

Feinstein’s absence could also complicate Julie Su’s confirmation to become the next labor secretary. Red-state Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Jon Tester (D-MT) have not yet indicated how they’ll vote. Feinstein’s absence, combined with a lack of support from Tester and Manchin, could endanger Su’s confirmation. Democrats only control the Senate 51-49.