CNN
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Republicans on Tuesday formally blocked Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s request to temporarily replace Senator Dianne Feinstein on the Judiciary Committee, something Democrats hope to do to push push for stalled judicial nominations.
Senate Democrats are seeking to temporarily replace Feinstein on the powerful panel that handles judicial candidates as the California Democrat remains absent, recovering from shingles.
However, Senate Republicans have made clear they are prepared to block Democrats’ efforts to replace Feinstein on the committee, increasing pressure on the 89-year-old California Democrat. must resign or quickly return.
Feinstein’s return date is still unclear and she just asked last week was replaced “temporarily” on the committee as she recovered.
Schumer made his offer on Tuesday by talking about his friendship with Feinstein and highlighting her accomplishments.
“Today, I act not only as Leader, but as Dianne’s friend, to respect her wishes, until she returns to the Senate,” Schumer said.
GOP Senator Lindsey Graham, the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, opposed Schumer’s request, though he also praised the California Democrat. He argued that Schumer’s move was to get more judges confirmed.
“She is a close friend and we hope she recovers quickly and returns to the Senate. With all due respect, my colleague Senator Schumer, this is about a handful of judges for whom you can’t get votes,” Graham said.
Democrats could still vote to replace Feinstein, but that would need the support of 10 Republicans and it’s unlikely they’d be spending much of their precious time on something of little chance. successful association.
Feinstein, who has stated that she is not running for re-election, initially said she expected to return to Washington “at the end of the March term,” but her return “is delayed. postponed due to ongoing complications related to my diagnosis.”
She recently said that she plans to return “as soon as possible after my medical team advised that it was safe for me to travel”.
Cardin told CNN Tuesday that he has discussed with Schumer as an interim replacement on the committee but he has not yet discussed the decision with Feinstein.
The Maryland Democrat said he and Feinstein have not spoken since she left the Senate and he understands this is only a temporary move until she returns.
“I recognize the importance of numbers on the committee, and this way we can do business. I see this as a way to deal with the current situation,” said Cardin.
Jacobinic will need 60 votes to replace Feinstein on the council, but senior Republicans in leadership roles and on the committee made it clear Monday that they would not give them the votes to do so. If Feinstein doesn’t return soon, at least 12 candidates, or even more, could stall.
If Democrats can’t replace Feinstein or if she doesn’t return to Washington soon, they could see key agenda items thwarted — both on the committee and on the Senate floor.
When asked if the California Democrat should consider resigning if she can’t return in May, Schumer replied that he “hopes” she will return “very soon.”
“Look, I spoke to Senator Feinstein just a few days ago and she and I are both very hopeful that she will be back soon,” Schumer said during his weekly policy briefing in the United States. United States Capitol.
Feinstein announced in February that she won’t run for re-election, and several Democrats have launched campaigns for her seat in 2024 in a primary that is shaping up to be competitive.
Many Democrats in Congress still largely support her decision to stay in office in her absence from the Capitol as she recovers from shingles.
But Feinstein has faced calls to resign from two House Democrats – and if Democrats are unable to replace her on the committee, that number could start to grow. .
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin recently admitted to CNN that Feinstein’s absence has slowed the party’s efforts to confirm the nominees. But Durbin stopped short of calling for Feinstein to step down, saying he hoped that Republicans would help temporarily replace her on the committee and recognizing that “rain could fall on both sides of the road.”
When asked if her absence would have a longer effect on the Democratic Party’s ability to confirm the nominees, the Illinois Democrat said, “Yes, of course it does,” pointing out a lengthy process to get candidates scheduled to vote in precious time.
Republican Senator John Cornyn, a senior member of the Judiciary Committee and a close adviser to McConnell, told CNN he opposes efforts to replace Feinstein on the panel.
“I don’t think Republicans can or should help President Biden’s most controversial candidates,” the Texas Republican said. “I support getting Senator Feinstein back as soon as she can. But this effort to endorse candidates that are controversial and in many cases largely unqualified, I don’t think you can expect any Republican cooperation.”
This story has been updated with additional information.
