Feinstein issues statement on Senate absence.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein Assures No Slowdown in Judicial Confirmations Despite Absence

Feinstein’s Statement on Her Continued Absence

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) has released a new statement regarding her continued absence from the Senate as she battles health problems. Despite calls for her resignation, Feinstein assures that her departure has not slowed down Democrats’ ability to confirm judges to federal courts.

“The Senate continues to swiftly confirm highly qualified individuals to the federal judiciary, including seven more judicial nominees who were confirmed this week. There has been no slowdown,” Feinstein said. “This includes the confirmation of Judge Wesley Hsu to the Central District of California. He will make an outstanding jurist, and I’m proud to see him join the federal bench.”

Feinstein also expressed disappointment that Republicans on the committee are blocking a few nominees from moving forward. However, she remains confident that when she returns to the Senate, they will be able to move the remaining qualified nominees out of committee quickly and to the Senate floor for a vote.

New statement from Feinstein doesn’t say when she will return to Washington but asserts “there has been no slowdown” in judicial confirmations while she’s been absent.

“I’m confident that when I return to the Senate, we will be able to move the remaining qualified nominees…”

Senate Republicans blocked a plan by Democrats last month to quickly replace Feinstein on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Central to the debate are nominees to federal courts around the country. By mid-February, the Senate confirmed more than 100 judicial appointments, meaning that in two years, President Joe Biden was outpacing his immediate predecessors. Any effort to reshape the federal judiciary ran into a roadblock when Feinstein became a no-show on Capitol Hill.

Senator Lindsey Graham’s Response

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) expressed his support for Feinstein, saying, “She’s a dear friend, and we hope for her speedy recovery and return back to the Senate. With all due respect, my colleague, Sen. Schumer, this is about a handful of judges that you can’t get the votes for.”

Despite the political debate, Feinstein remains focused on her recovery and the continued progress of the Senate.

Conclusion

Feinstein’s statement assures the public that her absence has not slowed down the Senate’s ability to confirm judges to federal courts. While the political debate continues, Feinstein remains confident that the remaining qualified nominees will be moved out of committee quickly and to the Senate floor for a vote upon her return.

• Sen. Dianne Feinstein assures no slowdown in judicial confirmations despite absence
• Feinstein expresses disappointment in Republicans blocking a few nominees from moving forward
• Senator Lindsey Graham expresses support for Feinstein’s recovery

Despite the political debate, Feinstein remains focused on her recovery and the continued progress of the Senate.