Rep. Rashida Tlaib Joins Calls For Feinstein To Step Down — Here’s Who Else Has Said She Should Resign

Topline

Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) called on Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.) to resign Tuesday as her ongoing absence has effectively blocked Democrats from appointing new federal judges and made it easier for Republicans to pass legislation—as Tlaib joins at least two other Congress members in pressing Feinstein to end her 30-year career.

U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., addresses the media during a visit to the Water Resource Recovery … [+] Facility, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Key Facts

In a tweet calling for the longtime Senator’s resignation, Tlaib cited the Senate’s inability to confirm judicial nominees, along with Republican-led legislation that narrowly passed on Wednesday to reverse an Environmental Protection Agency regulation on heavy-duty truck emissions.

Tlaib accused Republicans of “undermining the right of our residents to breathe clean air” in the tweet.

Feinstein, who at 89 is the oldest legislator in Congress, has been absent from the Senate since February as she recovers from shingles.

Reps. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) previously called on Feinstein to step down earlier this month.

Reps. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez and Jamaal Bowman have also expressed support for her resignation.

Crucial Quote

“Because Senator Feinstein was absent, the Senate overturned a Biden rule that would cut pollution from heavy duty trucks and causes harm to people’s lungs,” Khanna tweeted Thursday, adding “it’s time for Senator Feinstein to step down gracefully.”

Key Background

Feinstein, who announced in February she would retire when her term ends next year, said earlier this month she would return to the Senate, without specifying a date. Feinstein’s widely acknowledged short-term memory issues have raised concerns about ability to continue serving in Congress prior to her latest illness. Earlier this month, she asked Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to appoint a temporary replacement for her on the Judiciary Committee, so the panel could continue approving President Joe Biden’s judicial nominees. Republicans blocked the effort, however.

Contra

Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has suggested sexism is driving calls for Feinstein’s resignation. “I don’t know what political agendas are at work that are going after Senator Feinstein in that way. I’ve never seen them go after a man who was sick in the Senate that way,” she told reporters earlier this month.

Tangent

Republicans utilized the Congressional Review Act to push through a bill on Thursday that revokes the tighter emissions rule enacted in December. Republicans had opposed the rule then, citing concerns that it would negatively impact the trucking industry and have a domino effect across the economy. With the Senate split 51-49 in Democrats’ favor, Republicans need just one Democrat to join them in passing measures. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W. Va.) voted alongside Republicans on Wednesday to undo the regulation.

What To Watch For

If Feinstein steps down, California Gov. Gavin Newsom would be required to pick a replacement for her and has said he would choose a Black woman. Rep. Barbara Lee, one of three California Democratic members of Congress who have announced plans to run for Feinstein’s seat when she retires, is reportedly a likely choice.