Dianne Feinstein.Photo: Kevin Dietsch-Pool/Getty
Sen. Dianne Feinstein has asked for a replacement on the judiciary committee as she continues to be treated for shingles following calls to resign from fellow politicians.
The California Democrat, who is a six-term senator and the oldest member of Congress at age 89,revealed her health bout last month.
Since her absence, which began in February, Democrats have beenoperating at an even 49-49and the Senate Judiciary Committee has not been able to push nominees through to votes on the floor, per The Hill.
Feinstein issued a statement requesting a fill-in during her absence after Reps. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Dean Phillips (D-Minn.)called for her to resignvia Twitter.
A spokesperson for Schumer said, per CNN, thathe would honor Feinstein’s “wishes"and " ask the Senate next week to allow another Democratic Senator to temporarily serve on the Judiciary Committee.”
The Senate would need to agree on her replacement as committee members are usually selected at the beginning of a session.
Schumer did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Hours before Feinstein’s statement, Khanna tweeted, “It’s time for @SenFeinstein to resign. We need to put the country ahead of personal loyalty. While she has had a lifetime of public service, it is obvious she can no longer fulfill her duties. Not speaking out undermines our credibility as elected representatives of the people.”
Phillips later chimed in with, “I agree with@RoKhanna. Senator Feinstein is a remarkable American whose contributions to our country are immeasurable. But I believe it’s now a dereliction of duty to remain in the Senate and a dereliction of duty for those who agree to remain quiet.”
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Revealing her diagnosis, Feinstein wrote last month, “I was diagnosed over the February recess with a case of shingles. I have been hospitalized and am receiving treatment in San Francisco and expect to make a full recovery. I hope to return to the Senate later this month.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shingles are avirus that causes a painful rashthat consists of blisters that scab over after seven to 10 days. It can result in long-term nerve pain, the risk of which increases with age.
The request for a fill-in comes afterFeinstein’s announcementin February that she would retire at the end of her term next year.
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“I am announcing today I will not run for reelection in 2024 but intend to accomplish as much for California as I can through the end of next year when my term ends,” she said on Feb. 14.
“I remain committed to do what I said I would when I was re-elected in 2018: fight for Californians, especially on the economy and the key issues for California of water and fire,” she said.
source: people.com
