The situation involving California Sen. Dianne Feinstein has become an uncomfortable one for her fellow Democrats, some of whom have been calling on her to resign. Others have said Feinstein, who will turn 90 on June 22 and who has been in the Senate since 1992, has earned the right to end her career on her terms and that her desire, expressed through her staff, to serve her full term should be respected.
Others, however, have taken to saying the quiet part out loud about how regardless of her declining physical and cognitive health, Feinstein must remain in the Senate because Democrats need judges confirmed.
For instance, in a recent interview with the L.A. Times, former Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) told members of her party who were demanding Feinstein step down that they should be careful what they wish for because it would effectively mean a 10-10 stalemate on the Senate Judiciary Committee, on which Feinstein currently serves, until after the 2024 election:
She sees no guarantee that Republicans would allow another Democrat to replace the 89-year-old Feinstein on the Senate Judiciary Committee. In fact, Boxer is convinced they would not.
“They’ve already showed their hand,” she said, by refusing to let a temporary replacement fill in while Feinstein recuperates from shingles and its severe side effects. “I think it speaks volumes to their lack of humanity.”
So it would be best, Boxer suggested, for Feinstein to remain until her intended January 2025 retirement date, staying on hand for critical votes when Democrats — who control the Senate by a bare 51-49 majority — need her.
h/t Sarah Hoyt