Senate GOP blocks Democrats from temporarily replacing Sen. Dianne Feinstein on Judiciary Committee


Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) asked unanimous consent Tuesday evening to temporarily replace Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calf.) on the Judiciary Committee with Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), saying he was making the request "not just as leader but as Dianne's friend." Senate Republicans said no. Feinstein, who has been absent since being hospitalized with shingles in February, requested the temporary replacement after facing pressure from some Democrats to give up her Judiciary seat or even resign.
Feinstein's absence has left the Judiciary Committee deadlocked, with an even number of Democrats and Republicans, meaning Democrats have been unable to advance about 15 judicial nominees to the Senate floor for a confirmation vote. Schumer can bring the resolution to temporarily replace Feinstein up for a vote, but Republicans appear to be in lockstep opposition to the maneuver so it would be unlikely to get the 10 GOP senators needed to overcome a filibuster.
Schumer, who spoke with Feinstein on Friday, said "she and I are both very hopeful she will return very soon."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"At the moment, Democrats are deferring to the legendary California senator to make her own decisions about her future, hoping she'll return to Washington soon," but they "are also signaling they can't wait indefinitely," Politico reports. "Unless Feinstein returns or resigns, all Democrats can do is wait. Feinstein's term ends at the end of 2024, and her office on Tuesday pointed to last week's statement in which she said she expects to come back."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
How will the new tax deductions on auto loans work?
the explainer Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act introduced a tax deduction on auto loan interest — but eligibility for the tax break is limited
-
Is Trump actually going to prosecute Obama for 'treason'?
Today's Big Question Or is this just a distraction from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal?
-
5 best movie sequels of all time
The Week Recommends The second time is only sometimes as good as the first
-
Trump executive order targets homeless
Speed Read It will now be easier for states and cities to remove homeless people from the streets
-
Columbia pays $200M to settle with White House
Speed Read The Trump administration accused the school of failing to protect its Jewish students amid pro-Palestinian protests
-
Florida judge and DOJ make Epstein trouble for Trump
Speed Read The Trump administration's request to release grand jury transcripts from the Epstein investigation was denied
-
Trump attacks Obama as Epstein furor mounts
Speed Read The Trump administration accused the Obama administration of 'treasonous' behavior during the 2016 election
-
Trump administration releases MLK files
Speed Read Newly released documents on the 1968 assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. did not hold any new revelations, King historians said
-
Japan's prime minister feels pressure after election losses
Speed Read Shigeru Ishiba has vowed to remain in office
-
President diagnosed with 'chronic venous insufficiency'
Speed Read The vein disorder has given Trump swollen ankles and visible bruising on his hands
-
'Bawdy' Trump letter supercharges Epstein scandal
Speed Read The Wall Street Journal published details of Trump's alleged birthday letter to Epstein