Democrats are turning on their own.
According to his recent statement, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) plans to propose a resolution during the current week. The resolution aims to replace Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) on the Judiciary Committee to ensuring that President Biden’s judicial nominees continue to make progress toward the floor.
Biden’s judicial nominees moving forward is not something Republicans need to happen.
According to The Hill, In addition to proposing the resolution to temporarily replace Sen. Feinstein on the Judiciary Committee, Senator Schumer has expressed his hope that the Republican party will also lend their support. This would enable the vacant seat to be filled while Sen. Feinstein recuperates from shingles, an illness which has affected the 89-year-old California senator. The objective of this proposal is to ensure that President Biden’s judicial nominees continue to make progress towards the floor, despite Sen. Feinstein’s absence.
“I’d like to do it sometime this week,” Schumer said.
Senator Schumer has communicated that he spoke with Senator Feinstein a few days ago. He also informed the press that Sen. Feinstein anticipates returning to the Capitol “soon,” although no specific date has been confirmed for her return.
Schumer explained, “I spoke to Sen. Feinstein just a few days ago. She believes she will return soon. She’s very hopeful of that and so am I. We think the Republicans should allow a temporary replacement until she returns.”
Senator Schumer has conveyed that he intends to consult with members of his caucus to determine a suitable replacement for Sen. Feinstein during her period of absence. Sen. Feinstein was diagnosed with shingles, a virus that causes a painful rash and is related to chickenpox, back in February. Therefore, the decision regarding who will fill in for her on the Judiciary Committee will be made after careful consideration and discussion among Senator Schumer and other members of his caucus.
“We should have a temporary replacement until she [returns] and we hope Republicans will join us in that,” Schumer added.
Schumer needs nine Republicans to vote in favor of replacing Feinstein. Democrats in the past have refused to allow Republicans to have anything when they needed them. Republicans should not fold in this situation because if they do so, it would mean that Biden’s judicial nominees can move forward without any trouble.
Sadly however, Schumer will reach out to Republican Mitch McConnell to get Feinstein replaced. McConnell has been under fire a number of times for giving Democrats exactly what they want and former President Donald Trump has called him a “coward” for it.
Currently, the Judiciary Committee is evenly split with a 10-10 tie due to Sen. Feinstein’s absence. This deadlock gives Republicans a significant advantage, allowing them to use their leverage to impede President Biden’s more contentious nominees. This is precisely why Senator Schumer is keen on proposing a resolution to temporarily replace Sen. Feinstein on the Judiciary Committee and ensure the continued progress of Biden’s judicial nominees.