Two prominent House Democrats, Rep. Ro Khanna and Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota, have called on U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein to resign from her post following her extended absence from Washington due to declining health.
In a statement released by the lawmakers, they expressed concerns that Feinstein is no longer able to fulfill her duties as a senator effectively, which has led them to support her resignation.
Rep. Ro Khanna stated: "Sen. Feinstein has had an extraordinary career in public service and shattered gender barriers throughout it all; however, it is time for new leadership that can be fully present and engaged during these crucial times."
Adding his voice to the calls for resignation was Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota who said: "While we acknowledge and appreciate Sen. Feinstein's groundbreaking political accomplishments, we must prioritize effective representation for Californians at this moment."
The recent push for Feinstein's resignation follows similar sentiments expressed earlier this week by Jon Lovett, a former speechwriter for President Barack Obama.
Feinstein has missed approximately three-quarters of all Senate votes this year and announced last month that she would not seek reelection next year when her term expires.
If Sen. Dianne Feinstein decides to step down before completing her term, California Gov. Gavin Newsom would be responsible for filling the vacancy left behind until a special election could be held – potentially reshaping the competitive race further down the line.
There remains no set date or timeline regarding when Senator Dianne Feinstein may return back to work in Washington or if she will heed the call from fellow Democrats urging her resignation at this time