McConnell-GOP To Block Temporary Replacement Of Dem Sen On Judiciary Cmte

Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has stated that Republicans will move to block the temporary replacement of Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) on the Judiciary Committee. The decision will limit the White House's ability to get judicial nominees approved, with Feinstein having missed multiple votes already due to ill health. McConnell on the Senate floor: “Republicans will not take part in sidelining a temporary absent colleague on the committee just so Democrats can force through their very worst nominees.”

• Feinstein (89) is facing increasingly vocal calls from some within the Democratic party (primarily on the left) to step aside in order to allow the Biden administration to get its appointees into federal positions.
• Newsweek reports: "U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna of California was one of the first Democratic lawmakers to openly call for Feinstein to resign as her continued absence is hindering the judicial confirmation process, saying she can "no longer fulfill" her duties in the Senate. Shortly afterwards, Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota tweeted that it is a "dereliction of duty" for Feinstein to remain in the Senate."