Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) was not able to provide an updated time frame for Sen. Dianne Feinstein's (D-CA) planned return from medical leave on Wednesday, more than a week after lawmakers came back from April recess.
Feinstein, the Senate's oldest member at 89, has been absent from the chamber since being diagnosed with shingles in February. Democrats only control the chamber by a 51-49 margin, meaning that one absence gives Republicans an opportunity to block President Joe Biden's nominees and legislative efforts.
Feinstein has faced questions about her mental acuity for nearly half a decade as story after story reported instances of her forgetting conversations with top lawmakers and staff. Some reports have described her not recognizing longtime colleagues that she had known for years. She revived those concerns when she appeared unaware that her office had sent out the press release announcing her Senate retirement.
Her absence has put the most strain on the Senate Judiciary Committee, a panel she led as the top Democrat until being pushed out in late 2020 after forgetting conversations she had with Schumer about her handling of then-Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett's confirmation hearings. The panel has been essentially paralyzed as a result of Feinstein's absence, which leaves Democrats without the necessary votes to advance most of Biden's judicial nominees.
Asked if there were any updates on Feinstein's condition, Schumer said Wednesday,"I spoke with Sen. Feinstein recently, and both she and I hope that she will be back very soon."The answer was essentially the same as the one he gave last Tuesday when he said,"Look, I spoke to Sen. Feinstein just a few days ago, and she and I are both very hopeful that she will return very soon.
Republicans blocked Schumer's request to fill Feinstein's Judiciary Committee seat with Sen. Ben Cardin last week, leaving Democrats in limbo until her still-unscheduled return.
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
Should Dianne Feinstein resign from the United States Senate?: LettersSen. Dianne Feinstein should resign and retire In your question about Dianne Feinstein you mentioned the “practical good for all Californians.” I am a staunch believer in term limits.…
Consulte Mais informação »
Schumer's zombie ERA vote is just a political stuntSenate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is trying to get a simple Senate majority to retroactively extend a deadline that it lacks the power to extend. But Republicans who vote for Schumer's resolution, even if they do support adoption of the Equal Rights Amendment, are suckers.
Consulte Mais informação »
Retired N.J. lawmaker just led fellow senior-living residents in rally for tougher gun lawsFormer state Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg organized the rally of residents, aged 86 to 100.
Consulte Mais informação »
The endless battle over judicial picksIt shouldn’t surprise anyone that Republicans in the United States Senate blocked an attempt by Senate Democrats to replace Sen. Dianne Feinstein temporarily on the Judiciary Committee while she re…
Consulte Mais informação »
Senate to vote on Equal Rights Amendment ratificationSenate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said a vote on a resolution to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment will happen this week — 100 years after the measure was introduced in Congress.
Consulte Mais informação »
Schumer doubles down against McCarthy’s ‘dead on arrival’ debt-ceiling proposalSenate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer accused House Republicans of taking the nation hostage Tuesday, on the eve of passing legislation to avoid default on the national debt by raising the ceiling.
Consulte Mais informação »