Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer stated Tuesday he needs Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland to switch the ailing Sen. Dianne Feinstein on the Judiciary Committee till she returns from a chronic medical absence.
Mr. Schumer stated the Senate will vote on the substitution later Tuesday. But Senate Republicans will block the transfer as a result of it might enable Democrats to advance a number of of President Biden’s judicial nominees who’re caught in limbo with out bipartisan help.
Mr. Cardin has served in elected workplace for 56 years since 1967, within the Maryland statehouse and in Congress. He’s served within the Senate since 2007 and is up for reelection subsequent yr. The 79-year-old has not stated whether or not he’ll run once more.
Mr. Cardin is chair of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee and serves on the Environment and Public Works, Finance, and Foreign Relations Committees.
Ms. Feinstein has been absent for a number of weeks since she was identified with shingles and underwent hospitalization in February. It has left the Judiciary Committee cut up and unable to advance a minimum of 4 of Mr. Biden’s nominees whom Republicans say are unqualified to serve on the federal bench.
Two House Democrats have referred to as for the 89-year-old’s resignation amid broader considerations about her cognitive well being. Other Democrats have rallied to her protection and rebuffed the concept they’re attempting to power Ms. Feinstein from the seat she’s held for greater than 30 years.
Ms. Feinstein is just not in search of reelection subsequent yr.
“I spoke to Sen. Feinstein just last Friday, and she and I are very hopeful she’ll return soon,” Mr. Schumer stated.
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