Hours after House Democrats called for her resignation, U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein asked to be temporarily replaced on the Judiciary Committee.
In a statement Wednesday evening, Feinstein said her shingles recovery has been delayed because of complications and she asked Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to allow another Democratic senator to serve in her committee seat until she returns.
Feinstein, who is the oldest senator at 89 and previously said she would retire at the end of 2024, gave no estimated date for her return.
“I intend to return as soon as possible once my medical team advises that it’s safe for me to travel,” Feinstein said in a statement. “In the meantime, I remain committed to the job and will continue to work from home in San Francisco.”
Previous coverage:House Dems Ro Khanna, Dean Phillips call on Sen. Dianne Feinstein to resign. Here’s why
Pressure mounts for Feinstein to resign
Her statement comes as her lengthy absence has delayed President Joe Biden’s judicial nominees and members of her own party have started calling for her resignation.
“This is a moment of crisis for women’s rights and voting rights. It’s unacceptable to have Sen. Feinstein miss vote after vote to confirm judges who will uphold reproductive rights,” Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., said in a statement Wednesday.
Earlier in the day, Khanna and Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn., urged her to step down.
Feinstein, who will be 90 in June, has faced numerous questions about her health and fitness for office.
If she answers the calls to resign, it would be up to California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, to fill the vacancy. He previously said in 2021 that he would nominate a Black woman to fill the seat if she steps aside.
Retirement:Dianne Feinstein, California’s longest serving senator, won’t seek reelection in 2024
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Candy Woodall is a Congress reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @candynotcandace.