The sick leave taken by 89-year-old Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., has caused concerns among liberals because President Joe Biden’s federal judicial nominees are blocked by a Judiciary Committee that now has an equal number of Democrats and Republicans.
Feinstein has been absent from the Senate since February because of a bout with shingles and a brief stay in the hospital.
To emphasize that point, a coalition of liberal grassroots groups in California wrote a letterFriday to Feinstein asking her to resign from the Senate so she can focus on her health and an interim senator be appointed by Gov. Newsom to serve out the remainder of her term.
The coalition of over 60 liberal groups that said it represents over 100,000 Californians praised Feinstein for her “trailblazing work.” “But now, complications from your illness threaten this storied legacy,” the coalition wrote. “Therefore, at this key moment and with great respect and affection, we ask that you resign from the Senate to focus on your health. Please allow Governor Newsom to appoint an interim Senator who can provide robust and constant representation for California through the election of 2024.”
Feinstein, a former mayor of San Francisco, has served in the Senate since winning a special election in 1992. She said in February she will not seek reelection in 2024 but will serve out her current term.
Feinstein recently asked Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to replace her on the Judiciary Committee until she can return to Washington, but Republicans blocked the request.
The coalition concluded its letter by saying, “We respectfully ask you to give one more gift of service to our great state by fully stepping back to allow a new appointee to carry forth and extend your legacy.”