CNN
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Republicans formally blocked a request by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to temporarily replace Sen. Dianne Feinstein on the Judiciary Committee, which Democrats hope to do to improve the stagnant judicial nomination.
Senate Democrats are seeking to temporarily replace Feinstein in a powerful group that remains absent from California Democrats, recovering from shingles.
But Senate Republicans have made it clear that they are ready to stop Democrats from replacing Feinstein on the committee, adding to pressure on the 89-year-old California Democrat to resign or return quickly.
Feinstein’s return date is not yet known, she Asked last week When the committee resumes, it is replaced “temporarily”.
Schumer introduced his friendship with Feinstein on Tuesday and highlighted her achievements, introducing his motion.
“Today, I acted not only as a leader, but as a friend of Diane to fulfill her wishes until she returned to the Senate,” Schumer said.
Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, the top Republican of the Senate Judiciary Committee, opposed Schumer’s request, although he also praised California Democrats. He believes Schumer’s move is to confirm more judges.
“She is a dear friend and we want her to recover quickly and return to the Senate. My colleague, Senator Schumer, has the respect she deserves, and this is the minority judge you can’t get a vote,” Graham said.
Democrats can still force the vote to replace Feinstein, but that requires the support of 10 Republicans, and they are unlikely to use a lot of valuable daily time to get a chance to succeed.
Feinstein has announced that she has not sought reelection, initially saying she hopes “to the end of her work period in March” but her rewards are “delayed due to ongoing complications associated with my diagnosis.”
She recently said she plans to “she will return as soon as possible once my medical team recommends that I travel safely.”
Cardin told CNN on Tuesday that he had discussed Schumer as a temporary replacement for the committee, but he has not discussed the decision with Feinstein.
Democrats in Maryland said he and Feinstein had not spoken since he left the Senate, and it was his understanding that it was only a temporary move until she returned.
“I recognize the importance of these numbers on the committee so that we can do business. I think it’s a way to deal with the current situation,” Cardin said.
Democrats 60 votes are required to replace Feinstein In the group, but senior Republican Republicans at the leadership and committee made it clear Monday that they would not vote for them to do so. If Feinstein doesn’t return soon, at least 12 nominees, and even more, may stagnate.
If Democrats can’t replace Feinstein, or if she doesn’t return to Washington soon, they may see a critical agenda setback on the floors of the committee and the Senate.
Asked if California Democrats should resign if they can’t resign by May, Schumer replied that he “hope” she will “return soon.”
“Look, she and she and I were very much looking forward to her talking to Senator Feinstein,” Schumer said at a weekly policy press conference at the U.S. Capitol at the U.S. Capitol.
Feinstein announced in February Will not run for re-election, And, many Democrats have already launched a campaign for her seat in 2024, a competitive primary.
Many Congressional Democrats support her decision to a large extent, and while she recovered from the shingles, she was absent from the Capitol.
But Feinstein called for resignation from two House Democrats – if Democrats can’t replace her on the committee, that number could start to grow.
Senate Judicial Chairman Dick Durbin Recently admitted to CNN That absence of Feinstein slowed the party’s efforts to confirm the nominee. But Dobern has not called on Feinstein to resign, saying he hopes Republicans will help her take the committee temporarily and recognize that “rain may fall on both sides of the road.”
Asked if her absence had a longer impact on the Democrats’ ability to confirm nominees, the Illinois Democrat said, “Yes, of course it does,” indicating the long process of scheduling the nominees for voting during the precious floor.
Republican Sen. John Cornyn, a senior member of the Judiciary Committee and close advisor to McConnell, told CNN that he opposed efforts to replace Feinstein in a panel discussion.
“I don’t think Republicans can or should help President Biden’s most controversial nominee,” said the Texas Republican. “I support getting Senator Feinstein back as soon as possible. But this effort confirms nominees that are controversial and in many cases largely unqualified, and I don’t think you can expect any Republican cooperation.”
Additional information has been updated on this story.
