After criticism, Feinstein to step down as top Judiciary Dem
4 years, 1 month ago

After criticism, Feinstein to step down as top Judiciary Dem

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — California Sen. Dianne Feinstein said Monday she will step down from her role as the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, giving up the powerful spot after public criticism of her bipartisan outreach and her handling of Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation hearings. “It’s time for Sen. Feinstein to step down from her leadership position on the Senate Judiciary Committee,” said Brian Fallon, the executive director of Demand Justice, which opposes conservative nominees to the courts. “If she won’t, her colleagues need to intervene.” Feinstein also irked some of her fellow Democrats at Barrett’s first confirmation hearing, in 2017 for an appeals court, when she said that Barrett’s opposition to abortion must be rooted in her religion and questioned if it would influence her rulings on the bench, saying the “dogma lives loudly within you.” Republicans seized on the phrase, saying it was offensive to Catholics. In a statement, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said he was “grateful for Senator Feinstein’s leadership and contributions to our caucus and country” in the Judiciary post.

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History of this topic

Dianne Feinstein death: She leaves behind a towering legacy—and huge, high-stakes questions for Democrats and the Senate.
1 year, 2 months ago

Dianne Feinstein death: She leaves behind a towering legacy—and huge, high-stakes questions for Democrats and the Senate.

Slate  

California senior Sen. Dianne Feinstein has died at the age of 90. Feinstein’s reputation has evolved greatly over her 30 years in the senate: She is best known variously for her work on gun control and women’s rights, her commitment to finding common ground with Republicans, and finally, for her long and very public health decline and her refusal to …

Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, trailblazer and champion of liberal priorities, dies at age 90
1 year, 2 months ago

Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, trailblazer and champion of liberal priorities, dies at age 90

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, a centrist Democrat and champion of liberal causes who was elected to the Senate in 1992 and broke gender barriers throughout her long career in local and national politics, has died. President Joe Biden, who served with Feinstein for years in the Senate, called her “a pioneering American,” a “true trailblazer” and …

Dianne Feinstein, still recovering, is skipping a California visit during Senate break
1 year, 5 months ago

Dianne Feinstein, still recovering, is skipping a California visit during Senate break

LA Times  

Sen. Dianne Feinstein and staff leave a Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on May 11 after her return to Washington. The senator’s office did not say whether her decision to stay put was made on the advice of a doctor, but Ron Eckstein, her press secretary, said that she would remain in Washington “while she continues to recover.” As recently as …

Partisan mistrust still festers in Washington after Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s absence
1 year, 6 months ago

Partisan mistrust still festers in Washington after Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s absence

LA Times  

Along with speculation about Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s health and ability to serve, the California Democrat’s two-month absence from the Capitol this year exposed the deep partisan distrust that permeates the U.S. Senate and threatens to undercut an essential piece of President Biden’s agenda. Earlier this spring when she was still absent, Republicans rejected a Democratic effort to replace Feinstein temporarily …

Feinstein responds to questions about her absence from Washington
1 year, 7 months ago

Feinstein responds to questions about her absence from Washington

LA Times  

With the help of a staff member, Sen. Dianne Feinstein rose from her wheelchair, gripped his arm and walked onto the floor and cast her second vote of the week. We need her on the floor, but we’re doing our best to be sensitive to her medical condition.” On Monday, Sen. Richard Blumenthal spoke in support of Feinstein, saying she’s …

California Democrats further torn after seeing Sen. Feinstein’s return to Washington
1 year, 7 months ago

California Democrats further torn after seeing Sen. Feinstein’s return to Washington

LA Times  

Sen. Dianne Feinstein departs a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in Washington on Thursday. Environmental planner Eddie Isaacs, 42, wants to see how Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s recovery progresses before deciding whether he believes she ought to step down before her term is over. “I think it’s important we have a U.S. senator to be able to fulfill their duties every day …

Sen. Dianne Feinstein is back at work but needs a lot of helping hands
1 year, 7 months ago

Sen. Dianne Feinstein is back at work but needs a lot of helping hands

LA Times  

An hour into a Senate Judiciary hearing on Thursday, California Sen. Dianne Feinstein was wheeled into the chamber by a staff member. “I’m glad to welcome our colleague, Sen. Feinstein, back to our committee,” Sen. Ted Cruz said, before adding that she was abetting “several nominees who are so extreme and so unqualified that they couldn’t have a prayer of …

California’s Feinstein returns to Senate after monthslong absence
1 year, 7 months ago

California’s Feinstein returns to Senate after monthslong absence

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — California Sen. Dianne Feinstein returned to the Senate on Wednesday after a two-and-a-half-month absence due to illness, giving majority Democrats a much-needed final vote as they seek to confirm President Joe Biden’s nominees and raise the nation’s debt ceiling in the coming weeks. “I’m hopeful those issues will subside as I continue to recover.” f93f03adf8b8447eb2a9dacac4d68fd0 Feinstein’s return after …

Feinstein returning to Senate after facing resignation calls
1 year, 7 months ago

Feinstein returning to Senate after facing resignation calls

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s office disclosed Tuesday that she is returning to Washington following an absence of more than two months in which the oldest member of Congress faced calls from within her own party to resign. Few details emerged on Feinstein’s condition, and some Democrats openly complained that her lengthy absence was compromising the Democratic agenda in the …

What should Democrats do about Dianne Feinstein?
1 year, 7 months ago

What should Democrats do about Dianne Feinstein?

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “Whatever the normal process has been in the past, we’d follow in the future,” …

Feinstein matter stirs angst among some Senate peers
1 year, 8 months ago

Feinstein matter stirs angst among some Senate peers

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — For some senators, the Democratic effort to temporarily replace ailing 89-year-old Dianne Feinstein on the Judiciary Committee is about speeding up confirmation of President Joe Biden’s federal court nominees. Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, who is the same age as the California Democrat and has worked with her for three decades on the committee, said he thinks …

Republicans object to replacing Feinstein on Judiciary panel
1 year, 8 months ago

Republicans object to replacing Feinstein on Judiciary panel

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Republicans blocked a Democratic request to temporarily replace California Sen. Dianne Feinstein on the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday, leaving Democrats with few options for moving some of President Joe Biden’s stalled judicial nominees. Schumer would not answer questions about whether he thinks Feinstein should consider resigning, but said he had spoken to Feinstein and “she and I are …

Republicans object to replacing Dianne Feinstein on Judiciary panel
1 year, 8 months ago

Republicans object to replacing Dianne Feinstein on Judiciary panel

LA Times  

Republicans on Tuesday blocked a Democratic request to temporarily replace Sen. Dianne Feinstein on the Senate Judiciary Committee, leaving Democrats with few options for moving some of President Biden’s stalled judicial nominees. Schumer would not answer questions about whether he thinks Feinstein should consider resigning, but said he had spoken to Feinstein and “she and I are both very hopeful …

Susan Collins helps sink hopes of replacing Dianne Feinstein on Judiciary Committee
1 year, 8 months ago

Susan Collins helps sink hopes of replacing Dianne Feinstein on Judiciary Committee

Salon  

This article originally appeared at Common Dreams. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine said Monday that she will not support an effort to temporarily replace Sen. Dianne Feinstein on the Senate Judiciary Committee, effectively sinking Democratic hopes of breaking a tie on the panel that has helped Republicans blockade President Joe Biden's federal judge nominees. "I will not go along with …

Republicans balk at plan to replace Feinstein on Judiciary
1 year, 8 months ago

Republicans balk at plan to replace Feinstein on Judiciary

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Democrats’ efforts to temporarily replace California Sen. Dianne Feinstein on the Senate Judiciary Committee met quick opposition Monday from Republicans, complicating their plan as some of President Joe Biden’s judicial nominees remain on hold during her extended medical absence. Texas Sen. John Cornyn, a Republican on the Judiciary committee, said on the Senate floor that he hopes to …

Why Sen. Feinstein’s absence is a big problem for Democrats
1 year, 8 months ago

Why Sen. Feinstein’s absence is a big problem for Democrats

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s monthslong absence from the Senate to recover in California from shingles has become a vexing problem for Democrats who want to confirm President Joe Biden’s nominees to the federal courts. With frustration mounting among Democrats, Feinstein on Wednesday asked to be temporarily replaced on the Senate Judiciary Committee while she recuperates. A look at the …

After calls to resign, Feinstein seeks Judiciary replacement
1 year, 8 months ago

After calls to resign, Feinstein seeks Judiciary replacement

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, who has faced calls to resign from fellow Democrats, asked Wednesday to be temporarily replaced on the Judiciary Committee while she recovers from illness that has kept her away from Washington for weeks. “In the meantime, I remain committed to the job and will continue to work from home in San …

Feinstein’s absence in Washington is creating headaches for Biden and the Democrats
1 year, 8 months ago

Feinstein’s absence in Washington is creating headaches for Biden and the Democrats

LA Times  

Sen. Dianne Feinstein speaks to reporters before entering the Senate chamber at the U.S. Capitol in February. California Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s absence in Washington, which began when she was briefly hospitalized with shingles in February, has created headaches for President Biden and congressional Democrats in Washington and is stirring speculation at home. “I understand that my absence could delay the …

Dianne Feinstein asks to be replaced on Judiciary Committee amid Democratic calls to resign
1 year, 8 months ago

Dianne Feinstein asks to be replaced on Judiciary Committee amid Democratic calls to resign

Salon  

This article originally appeared at Common Dreams. After two fellow Democratic lawmakers urged her to resign, Sen. Dianne Feinstein said Wednesday that she has asked Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to move to temporarily replace her on the chamber's judiciary committee, alluding to the impact her absence has had on the panel's ability to advance President Joe Biden's judicial nominees. …

Rep. Adam Schiff is running for the Senate in California
1 year, 10 months ago

Rep. Adam Schiff is running for the Senate in California

Daily Mail  

Rep. Adam Schiff announced Thursday that he was running for Senate, launching a bid to talk the place of 89-year-old Sen. Dianne Feinstein. It comes two days after House Speaker Kevin McCarthy removed Schiff, the former chairman, from the House Intelligence Committee, with the California Republican accusing the Democrat of lying about Russiagate and the veracity of Hunter Biden's laptop. …

Feinstein says she won’t step down early from Senate
2 years ago

Feinstein says she won’t step down early from Senate

LA Times  

Some of U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s colleagues have expressed interest in her seat, even as she has announced no plans to vacate it. “You just take it as it comes.” Sen. Dianne Feinstein said Monday she has every intention of serving the remainder of her Senate term and is still deliberating whether to retire in 2024. A lot can happen …

Oldest senator Dianne Feinstein says she IS able to do her job
4 years ago

Oldest senator Dianne Feinstein says she IS able to do her job

Daily Mail  

California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the oldest member of the Senate, is defending her work habits and effectiveness – after reports of excruciating conversations with fellow Democrats about her ability to perform her duties. Chuck Schumer had several 'painful' conversations with Senator Dianne Feinstein about stepping down from leading Dems on Senate Judiciary panel Then Congressman Chuck Schumer with Sen. Dianne …

Dianne Feinstein to step down as top Democrat on Senate Judiciary Committee following Supreme Court hearing backlash
4 years, 1 month ago

Dianne Feinstein to step down as top Democrat on Senate Judiciary Committee following Supreme Court hearing backlash

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Senator Dianne Feinstein of California has announced she will not …

Dianne Feinstein Won't Seek Senate Judiciary Leadership After Backlash
4 years, 1 month ago

Dianne Feinstein Won't Seek Senate Judiciary Leadership After Backlash

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING Sen. Dianne Feinstein said Monday that she will not seek a leadership position in any of the chamber’s committees next year, including the coveted Senate Judiciary Committee where she currently serves as the ranking Democrat. I thought it was a very poor set of hearings.” Senate Judiciary Committee ranking member Sen. Dianne Feinstein speaks during an Oct. …

Feinstein won’t seek top Judiciary Committee spot following complaints from progressives
4 years, 1 month ago

Feinstein won’t seek top Judiciary Committee spot following complaints from progressives

LA Times  

Sen. Dianne Feinstein said Monday she will not pursue leadership of the high-profile Senate Judiciary Committee or any other committee next year, taking a dramatic step back following pressure from progressives who questioned her willingness to use tough, partisan politics to confirm Biden administration Supreme Court picks and other judicial nominations. “I also believe that defeating COVID-19, combating climate change …

With a hug, Feinstein draws liberal critics at court hearing
4 years, 2 months ago

With a hug, Feinstein draws liberal critics at court hearing

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — It was the hug that may define — or doom — a long Senate career. “It’s time for Sen. Feinstein to step down from her leadership position on the Senate Judiciary Committee,” said Brian Fallon, the executive director of Demand Justice, which opposes conservative nominees to the courts. “If she won’t, her colleagues need to intervene.” Eli Zupnick, …

With a hug, Feinstein draws liberal critics at court hearing
4 years, 2 months ago

With a hug, Feinstein draws liberal critics at court hearing

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “This has been one of the best set of hearings that I’ve participated in,” …

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