McConnell Says Republicans Won't Help Replace Feinstein on Committee

Facts

• Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), alongside other senior Republicans, signaled opposition to any attempts by Democrats to temporarily replace Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) on the Senate Judiciary Committee as she recovers from shingles.¹
• Feinstein, 89, has been absent from Washington since February with the condition, leading Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to propose Ben Cardin (D-Md.) take her place until she recovers. Such a decision would require at least 10 Republicans to clear the filibuster threshold.²
• Feinstein issued a statement last week asking to be temporarily replaced on the committee, which requires her presence to secure a Democratic majority and easily confirm Pres. Biden's judicial nominees. McConnell stated that Republicans would not defy Senate norms to enable Democrats to "force through their very worst nominees."³
• Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), the leading GOP member of the Judiciary Committee, also objected to Schumer's proposal. Schumer would not answer questions about whether Feinstein should resign over her poor health.⁴
• Without Feinstein's presence, Democrats only hold a majority in the Senate by a single vote at a 50-49 margin. This causes concern for Democrats as critical votes on key issues like the debt ceiling draw closer.⁵
• Some Democrats, including fellow Californians Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.), have called on Feinstein to step down. Feinstein has already stepped down from multiple leadership positions.⁶

Sources: ¹NPR Online News, ²Forbes, ³Independent, ⁴PBS NewsHour, ⁵Reuters, and ⁶Associated Press.

Narratives

• Republican narrative, as provided by Federalist. It's not surprising that Feinstein is no longer able to perform her duties as a Senator due to her age. There is no reason Republicans should cooperate with Democrats on their judicial agenda. There is no precedent for such a temporary replacement, and to give way due to moral duty would be extraordinarily dangerous in potentially allowing the Biden administration's judicial agenda to proceed.
• Democratic narrative, as provided by CNN. Republicans have made it clear that they will not let Feinstein be replaced, even for a short period of time, as McConnell continues with his intention to exploit the befuddling Senate rulebook and prohibit judicial nominations from passing. Whether Feinstein resigns or is replaced, Republicans will no doubt continue their obstructionist ways.
• Cynical narrative, as provided by Daily Beast. Republicans and Democrats are attempting to take the moral high ground on the matter of Feinstein's absence which just so happens to align with their political desires. The reality is that both sides claim the other is playing politics in what is a difficult and messy situation.