New York lawmakers Friday became the fifth House Democrat to call on Senator Diane Feinstein (D-California) to resign, citing health concerns.
Rep. Richie Torres (D-NY): “If you’re a member and the shadow of who you used to be is gone, you should quit.” told an insider, see Feinstein. “When you are no longer the best person to represent your state, you have a duty to move on.”
The Bronx Rep. Law Khanna (D-California), Dean Phillips (D-Minnesota), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Rashida Traib (D-N.Y.) Michigan), along with the resignation of an 89-year-old Senator.
Feinstein announced earlier this year that he would not be seeking re-election in 2024, but after recovering from shingles and other health problems and spending nearly three months away from Washington, D.C., Feinstein ran for the Senate a few weeks ago. returned to
A source close to the senator told The New York Times last week that her current condition was “terrifying.”
Feinstein reportedly developed encephalitis (among other things, swelling in the brain that caused memory problems, increased confusion, and difficulty walking) while recovering from shingles.
Feinstein, who served six terms and is the oldest member of the Senate, uses a wheelchair to navigate the Capitol and gives confused answers to questions about his absence.
Speaking to reporters shortly after returning to Washington, D.C., Feinstein insisted he had been voting all along, rather than leaving Congress to recover from an illness.
On Thursday, the Los Angeles Times reported that Feinstein is currently being blocked from contact with reporters and photographers in the Capitol by aides and Senate sergeants.
In a statement after her return, her office said doctors had advised her to stick to a “light schedule” as she continued to recover.
If Feinstein resigns, Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom will be tasked with appointing her replacement when her term expires.
