Khanna: Feinstein offer to be temporarily replaced on key panel not enough

[jgo]

Source: The Hill

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) on Thursday said the suggestion from Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) that she be temporarily replaced on the Senate Judiciary Committee was “a step,” but said the process to have her replaced was “not that simple” after he called for the 89-year-old senator to resign on Wednesday.

In the wake of calls for her to resign from Democratic colleagues, Feinstein announced that she was asking Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to appoint a temporary replacement for her on the committee, a request that Schumer said he would abide by.

But the move to replace Feinstein on the committee would require 60 votes in the Senate, and it was unclear whether Republicans would be willing to adhere to a move that could help Democrats push through more judicial nominees.

Khanna said the barrier of Republican support made him think that Feinstein should still ultimately resign from the Senate instead of seeking a temporary replacement on the committee.


Read more: https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/3948398-khanna-feinstein-offer-to-be-temporarily-replaced-on-key-panel-not-enough/

[Lovie777]

1. She may resign......................

[mopinko]

2. ya know, i never liked that guy.

doing this shit in the media is just….

[wryter2000]

10. I don't like this

For sure

[Bobstandard]

17. I agree

He gives me the creeps. I hear him speak on the Thom Hartman show. He has many reasons why things can’t be done, but sidesteps when listeners suggest he at least bang the bullly pulpit. He seems very much a political creature before all.

[mcar]

25. He's always ready to criticize fellow Democrats, isn't he?

I'm wondering what his legislative record is as compared to DiFi's.

[TheProle]

69. Khanna Stats:

Missed Votes

From Jan 2017 to Mar 2023, Khanna missed 21 of 3,344 roll call votes, which is 0.6%. This is better than the median of 1.6% among the lifetime records of representatives currently serving. The chart below reports missed votes over time.

Missed Votes

From Feb 1993 to Mar 2023, Feinstein missed 395 of 10,222 roll call votes, which is 3.9%. This is worse than the median of 2.3% among the lifetime records of senators currently serving. The chart below reports missed votes over time.

Voting record and more:
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/ro_khanna/412684

[Tumbulu]

53. I don't like him either

what a jerk!

[Renew Deal]

3. The play here is that the Barbara Lee supporters know she won't win the election

So they're trying to get Newsom to appoint her.

[jmbar2]

4. This is painful

Shouldn't be playing out in the press. She deserves to be treated with discretion and dignity after a lifetime of good work.

[Shipwack]

7. Maybe they have been talking behind the scenes...

If they were doing it discreetly (as they should) we wouldn't know about it..m

But if they have, there seem to have been no results.

[ShazzieB]

43. And yet people are automatically assuming that not a soul has tried talking to her privately! 🤷‍♀️

Why do people assume that what's in the news is the WHOLE STORY?

[Lonestarblue]

5. Republicans will not approve a replacement because it takes away their power to stop judicial

nominees from being moved out of committee. I think Khanna has been entirely graceless in public about this situation, but we don’t know whether he and others in the Senate first contacted Feinstein privately to convince her that resigning now is in the best interests of the country. If she refused, perhaps their only option was to go public, though I think that could have been done with a bit more sensitivity.

[Marthe48]

6. There have been many other senators and reps

who came to vote on stretchers or in wheelchairs over the years. Why not let this situation play out?

I'm sad that so many of the Dem Senators are showing their age. I see many capable people coming up who will take the reins and do a terrific job of guiding our country. The only good thing I can say is that a lot of the assholes on the other side of the aisle are getting old, too. Unfortunately, their younger generation wanting to foist themselves on the country are only interested in diving over a cliff.

[dsc]

12. because there is no timeline for her return

and judicial nominees are frozen until she does.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

24. Because the other side just got through with a 200 plus orgy of activist judge appointments.

They jam through judges at will when we they are in power we are like “ho hum what’s the rush?”

[Marthe48]

27. Getting real judges on the bench is urgent I agree

I think that this situation could be handled more discreetly, and with speed.

[Ligyron]

8. What is wrong with her?

You'd think that after all the good work she's done for the state and having served for so long with distinction she'd be happy to retire with dignity and enjoy the time she has left on the planet.

She's got to know how this situation is hurting the Party, go home and relax, do some gardening,or whatever.

[True Blue American]

14. Her staff said

She does not remember what they told her 2 minutes before.. She really needs to resign. Let appoint the Governor appoint some one.


Ginsburg refused to resign. You can see what Mitch did when she died. I think all the old men should hang it up, too.

[LenaBaby61]

18. She does not remember what they told her 2 minutes before.

A friend who lives in Frisco told me last week that EVERYBODY knows the truth, and the truth is what you just said it was from all accounts: She's suffering from Dementia. She obviously can no longer take control of her own affairs or of herself. She can't keep on punishing herself, yet she doesn't exactly know that she is. SOMEONE needs to step in. Chuck Grassley needs to go because he's a treasonous rat fink, but that's not happening

[True Blue American]

33. Grassley is also senile

Can not hear anything. Looks dazed when people speak and that old fool led the committee.

[ShazzieB]

40. Beside the point.

Grassley needs to go, too, but that won't happen unless his fellow Republicans take action.

Just because they won't doesn't mean Democrats should sit down and shut up.

[More_Cowbell]

55. Grassley will resign

My sister in Iowa says it's common knowledge there that he'll resign and the governor will appoint his grandson Patrick to his seat.

[Duppers]

30. + 100

[Novara]

9. How do any of you know that others have NOT talked to her privately?

What if this has been happening all along, and she is refusing, and so they see no other alternative other than to do this publicly at this point?

It's possible.

At any rate, Khanna is right. They can't get anything done while she is out. You all see how important judicial appointments are - Texas trying to make up their own rules for all women in America is the latest example. She is holding up the process to get qualified and fair judges confirmed.

IMO, this is an emergency.

[True Blue American]

34. We don't know if family has approached her.

But a person with dementia is not dealing with a full deck. Harsh to say, but I have dealt with dementia twice and watched many friends try to cope.

[ShazzieB]

37. Exactly.

We do not know who has already talked to her, or how hard they've tried to handle this "discreetly."

People need to stop assuming that what makes it into the news is always the FULL story, on anything.

[Bayard]

11. Really sad to end a career like this

Trying to hang on by her fingernails. You're almost 90, Senator. Time to rest.

[Mz Pip]

68. Such a legacy.

She did an amazing job following the assassinations of Moscone and Milk. It’s sad to see her end her career on a low note, especially with so much riding on it.

[onenote]

13. So far, Feinstein has missed exactly two Judiciary Committee sessions

We don't know how extended her absence will be. The Senate reconvenes next week and the earliest an executive session would be held would be April 20, although there is nothing on the committee calendar at the moment.

There are five appeals court nominees who already were approved by the Committee but haven't been voted on by the full Senate. There is only one appeals court nominee pending consideration by the committee.

There also are more than a dozen district court nominees who have been approved by the Committee, but haven't been voted on by the full Senate -- some have been pending since January. While there are 17 district court nominees who haven't yet gotten a vote at the committee, most of them were nominated back in January and could've been considered before Feinstein became unavailable at the end of February.

In short, while Feinstein's absence has held up consideration of some nominees, she's not the only reason that judges haven't been confirmed.

[True Blue American]

15. Feinstein's absence is not the problem.

That she is suffering from dementia is.

Frankly I think there is something wrong with Lindsey Graham, too.

[LenaBaby61]

19. What's also happening with Graham is that .....

hes morphing into tRump with the hair color and with using the same color make up tRump wears

[BComplex]

20. The only thing that's wrong with that snake, Lindsay Graham is that he's molting.

You know, going through ecdysis. Snakes do this several times a year.

[True Blue American]

35. How many times has he shed his skin?

[onenote]

21. And you are qualified to make that diagnosis?

Would love to see your curriculum vitae and notes of your in person evaluation of the Senator.

[True Blue American]

51. I have seen it too often not to see the signs.

It is heartbreaking for both the victims and their families. I loved it with my MIL, Step Father and at least 3 life long friends.

It is sad for both the victims, their families. Dianne has had a long productive career and accomplished much. It is sad.

Your sarcasm is duly noted.

[onenote]

22. By the way, Feinstein has missed fewer votes than Fetterman.

Which of her votes indicate she has dementia?

[True Blue American]

36. None, she walks down on the Senate floor, votes, leaves, never speaks or talks with anyone.

Diane has had a distinguished career, accomplished much. Retire, live out your natural life. She deserves that. But the Senate has much to do.

[Butterflylady]

39. Please don't bring Fetterman into this.

He did what he had to get better and serve the people. He will be back and better than ever.

[ShazzieB]

41. Seriously,

I can't believe some of the comments in here.

[onenote]

44. Yes he will. So let's not make missing votes a benchmark.

Feinstein still intends to return.

[Demsrule86]

64. Some votes have not been scheduled because Democrats knew they would lose...there is now

a backlog of unconfirmed judges...and we have a tough Senate Map in 24. I am sorry if the only way we can get judges is for Feinstein to resign. But she needs to do so immediately for the good of our party and our nation. We may very well have another attempted coup in 24...so we need judges who are not Trump appointees.

[onenote]

71. Her last vote was on February 27. Since then 13 District Court judges have been confirmed

In every instance, the vote was held notwithstanding the unavailability at least three, and as many as six, Democrats to vote.

So, which judges were not scheduled for a floor vote simply because Feinstein was absent?

[Marius25]

45. Chuck Schumer has indicated she's likely suffering from dementia

It's not something people are making up. She's suffering from serious memory loss.

[ripcord]

49. Has a doctor who has examined her diagnosed her with dementia

Or is it just the internet trolls who stayed at a Holliday Inn last night?

[True Blue American]

52. I certainly hope so.

She could be like Donald, come out and brag about her cognitive test she passed with flying colors.

[BumRushDaShow]

16. Not sure how House members have any say over what the Senate does

other than to get attention (or jockey for a say on any "appointment" ).

[KPN]

28. They don't. Like any of us though, they do have an opinion and a right to voice it. I always want

to support our elected Dems, but in some cases the benefits don't seem to adequately offset the costs. This is one of them. It would have been better if have had not run for this term in the first place.

[BumRushDaShow]

32. Yes they have "an opinion"

but are either unaware or don't care if the RW media grabs it, runs with it, magnifies it, distorts it, and then proclaims - "Democrats in Disarray®". This has been a long-simmering issue.

There is usually a reason why people dislike "politics" and "politicians" and then don't bother turning out to vote.

I have no problem with moving the party to the left and certainly it has been happening "out of the glare of the 'insult-an-ally-to-get-attention' spotlight" - see Summer Lee here in PA picking up a Congressional seat as a progressive, that was essentially dismissed as not even possible by some (but not all) of the party infrastructure here. So if anything, that is an example of how there is always more than one way to achieve one's goals.

[CentralMass]

23. I say this with no malice but there is a time to retire.

[Me.]

26. So Is He ITching To Replace Her?

not gonna happen rho

[f_townsend]

38. Any competent Democrat is good for me

Plenty of time to praise Feinstein for her Senate service -- after she retires, which needs to be right away.

[Me.]

42. I'm For Schiff Because Of His Expertise In Judicial Matters

[Retrograde]

48. That's my interpretation

Ro Khanna wants to be a senator, but since he lives in a state that only has 1 senator per 20 million people he knows his chances in a state-wide election are slim, given that 3 better-known representatives are currently in the running. But if Feinstein were to step down or otherwise be unable to complete her term the governor would get to appoint a replacement. Khanna's betting on it not being one of the Big 3 (Lee, Porter, or Schiff) so he may have a better chance getting that temporary appointment, which would give him a leg up in next year's primary.

[Me.]

54. He Has Stock Trading Problems

so he better watch out

[Fullduplexxx]

29. Wow out for 2 months with no est time of return

[onenote]

46. Actually, one month.

Feinstein was present for every Senate session in February until February 27. The Senate went on recess starting March 31. They return April 17.

[Demsrule86]

66. She hasn't case a vote since February...it is now April. She needs to return or resign. We

already have a backlog of unconfirmed judges.

[onenote]

70. No one has cast a vote since March 30.

My objection was to the post saying she had been "out" for two months. Her last vote was on February 27 and the Senate has not been in session since March 30. That's one month, not two.

Over the past two months (February 15 - April 14) the Senate has been in session only 20 days. Feinstein has missed missed votes on 18 of those days. I agree that if she can't return fairly soon, she should step down.

[WhiteTara]

56. are we talking about John Fetterman?

He wasn't even in his office for a week when he took an open ended medical leave.

Of course, Feinstein is a woman and as such should never need personal time for illness.

[Fullduplexxx]

57. No we're aren't and you know it

[WhiteTara]

58. we must be talking about old man McConnel

who has been out for weeks and weeks. No one knows a single thing about him.

[Fullduplexxx]

59. Why would we care how long he's out

[WhiteTara]

60. I don't think we do

So we must be disrespecting a long term woman senator. Damn these uppity women who won't quietly slink off stage when told by some pipsqueak of a congressman.

[Fullduplexxx]

63. Then why bring him up..oh ffs . it has nothing to do with her being a woman

Put another woman in there who can make the votes and get judges confirmed .

[WhiteTara]

67. individual women can be so easily dismissed in

the minds of so many. We all look the same...except for the size of our tits.

[wnylib]

61. But the turtle's absence is a benefit to us, isn't it?

And to the country, too.

[republianmushroom]

31. Retire Dianne

If you can't do the job either quite or retire. One or the other.
Your time has passed.

[WhiteTara]

47. How dare he?

Where are calls for McTurtle or the brand new senator from PA? I am sick of this standard that women must not only be better but not even human. Grrrrrr

[ripcord]

50. They aren't older women

Agism and sexism are everywhere these days.

[Demsrule86]

65. I am a woman...and want her to retire because it is the only way to get judges IMHO.

This has nothing to do with sexism or ageism. We must get judges approved...our Senate map is dreadful in 2024...Manchin, Tester, and Sinema to begin are up for reelection...if they lose we lose the Senate in 24. Sinema is no longer a Democrat and would likely caucus with the GOP going forward...but she could still cost us the Senate if she runs as an independent or wins a primary. She won't get elected but she costs us the Senate just the same.

[wnylib]

62. As far as I'm concerned, the turtle can stay out indefinitely.

The longer the better.

Fetterman had a good prognosis. Is Feinstein's prognosis good? If it's true that she has dementia, then the prognosis is not good. NPR reported today that, per her spokespeople, she has developed complications from shingles. That sounds like postherpetic neuralgia, which has a bad prognosis for younger people and a worse one for older people.

If she is that ill, and if the recovery prognosis is not good, it might be best for her to retire. She has served well and is a Senate icon. But it might be time for her to pass the torch.