Global Courant 2023-04-13 18:38:24
As Senator Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., remains in California to recover from her shingles bout, an increasing number of Democrats are calling for her to resign from the Senate. But don’t count President Biden in that.
On Wednesday, Feinstein released a statement about her medical condition, revealing that she had been advised to work from home in San Francisco and that she had sent Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y. in her place until she returns to Washington. Her announcement led some House Democrats to suggest she was “dereliction of duty” and to call for her resignation, even though she has already said she will not seek re-election at the end of her term.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked to respond to those calls for Feinstein’s resignation, and she reaffirmed the president’s support for his longtime friend and colleague.
“The president, you know, is very grateful for her support of his exceptionally qualified and diverse nominees. So that’s something he’s grateful to her for. And while I’ll repeat, that’s the president and the first lady wish that Senator Feinstein all the best and a speedy recovery,” Jean-Pierre told reporters on Wednesday.
MEMBERS TURN ON DIANNE FEINSTEIN, CALL FOR HER RESIGNATION FROM SENATE: ‘DUTY’
Senator Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., is recovering from shingles at her California home. Several Democrats have called for the 89-year-old, the oldest sitting senator, to step down and have a young person take her place. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
President Biden gestures after U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, Democrat of California, raises her hand that she did not receive a commemorative pen after signing H.R. 1652, the VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act of 2021, which redirects monetary fines to funding for victim compensation funds , at a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, July 22, 2021. (SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
FORMER OBAMA WRITER CALLS ON DIANNE FEINSTEIN TO RESIGN: ‘MUST NOT BE IN SENATE’
“And look, I’m going back to what the president said when the senator very recently, not too long ago, announced her imminent retirement. And he talked about her late husband, Richard, and how he became very good friends with her late husband. , Richard, and obviously the Senator and really appreciated how closely they worked together during his time as Senator,” she added. “They worked closely together on the 1994 Crime Act and other obviously other important issues that matter to the American people. And he really, really respects and appreciates her commitment to public service. I just don’t have anything else to add to that. “
Feinstein, 89, who has served in the Senate for more than 30 years, was hospitalized last month for shingles and faced other health concerns, including reports related to her mental fitness. She had previously faced calls to resign before announcing her retirement
REPUBLICAN ERIC ENTERS SENATE RACE EARLY IN CALIFORNIA TO REPLACE DIANNE FEINSTEIN
FILE – Senator Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., participates in a reenacted swearing-in ceremony with her husband Richard C. Blum and U.S. Vice President Joe Biden in the old Senate Chamber of the U.S. Capitol on January 3, 2013 in Washington, DC (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Earlier on Wednesday, Feinstein announced that “complications” related to her shingles diagnosis would prevent her from returning to the Capitol at the end of March.
“I plan to return as soon as possible once my medical team advises it is safe for me to travel. In the meantime, I will remain committed to the job and will continue to work from home in San Francisco,” she said.
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At least two House Democrats responded to Feinstein’s announcement by calling for her to resign immediately.
“It’s time for (Feinstein) to step down. We must put country over personal loyalty,” Rep. tweeted. Ro Khanna, D-Calif. “Although she has been in public service for a lifetime, it is clear that she can no longer fulfill her duties. Not speaking up undermines our credibility as elected representatives of the people.”
Fox News’ Brandon Gillespie and Lindsay Kornick contributed to this report.
