GOP Blocks Effort to Temporarily Replace Feinstein on Judiciary Committee, Stalling Biden nominees
WASHINGTON – Republican senators are blocking a Democratic effort to temporarily replace Sen. Dianne Feinstein on the Senate Judiciary Committee, further complicating President Biden’s efforts to confirm judicial nominees. Feinstein, 90, has been absent from the Senate due to ongoing health issues, creating a partisan impasse that threatens to grind the committee’s work to a halt.
The stalemate comes as Democrats hold a narrow majority in the Senate and rely on the Judiciary Committee to advance nominees. Feinstein’s absence has already led to two resignations from the committee among House Democrats, and if a replacement isn’t found, more could follow. The situation highlights the precariousness of the Democratic majority and the increasing politicization of judicial confirmations.
Senate Judiciary Chairman Dick Durbin recently acknowledged to CNN that Feinstein’s absence had slowed the party’s push to confirm nominees, but stopped short of calling for her resignation. He expressed hope that Republicans would temporarily replace her on the committee, stating, “the rain can fall on both sides of the road.” Durbin confirmed her absence has “longer ramifications” for the Democrats’ ability to confirm nominees,citing the challenges of scheduling votes during limited floor time.
However, Republican Sen. John Cornyn, a senior member of the Judiciary Committee and close adviser to senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, told CNN he opposes any effort to replace Feinstein. “I don’t think Republicans can or should help President Biden’s most controversial nominees,” Cornyn said. “I support having Sen. feinstein come back as soon as she can. but this effort to confirm controversial and in many instances largely unqualified nominees, I don’t think you can expect any Republican cooperation.”
