Dianne Feinstein takes a step back

Under the pressure of resigning from her seat for more than 30 years, Senator Dianne Feinstein She hopes to leave the important Senate committee for the time being due to poor health, announced Thursday.

The 89-year-old California Democrat, the oldest member of Congress, has left the Senate since February due to a diagnosis of banding disorder, missing about 58 votes.

A spokesman for the senator told San Francisco Chronicles She has been working from home this week when she recovered from the virus.

But because the Senate will re-live on Monday after a two-week recess, there are concerns that her ongoing absence will stop working on the Judiciary Committee where she is a member.

back Barrily losing control of the House In last year’s midterm elections, Republicans, President Joe Biden Continue to use the Democratic Senate majority As many federal judges as possible.

Given the slim majority of Democrats, the committee has not made any new nominations for federal judges since February 16. Under current regulations, a co-vote from the committee means nominees cannot vote in the full Senate.

Senator Dick Durbin, Democratic of Illinois, then became chairman of the Judiciary Committee Feinstein gave up his role After criticism from activists politics Last month, he felt “anxious” because they could not propose a new candidate without returning to Feinstein.

exist statement Later Wednesday, Feinstein said she had hoped to return to work by the end of March, but “continuous complications” stopped her.

“Once my medical team recommends that I travel safely, I plan to return as soon as possible,” she said in a statement. “At the same time, I remain committed to the job and will continue to work from my home in San Francisco.”

Feinstein admits her absence complicated her colleagues, saying she had asked Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer Another Democrat was appointed temporarily.