1 year ago
57
Sen. Dianne Feinstein asked to be temporarily removed from the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday, close on the heels of media reports that her absence following an illness is complicating Senate Democrats’ efforts to confirm federal judges. Reports at both Politico and NBC News said that Democrats are “increasingly concerned” and “rais[ing] alarms” at her prolonged recovery from shingles and resulting absence from the Senate.
The California Democrat addressed those concerns immediately following the reports, issuing a statement saying that she would return to Washington “as soon as possible once my medical team advises that it’s safe for me to travel,” adding that she was working from home in San Francisco. “When I was first diagnosed with shingles, I expected to return by the end of the March work period. Unfortunately, my return to Washington has been delayed due to continued complications related to my diagnosis,” she said.
“I understand that my absence could delay the important work of the Judiciary Committee,” she added. “So I’ve asked Leader Schumer to ask the Senate to allow another Democratic senator to temporarily serve until I’m able to resume my committee work.”
RELATED: Biden's goal of remaking federal judiciary is stalling out on Durbin's watch
