Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) called on Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) to resign on Wednesday, saying that it has become “obvious” that she can no longer fulfill her duties in the U.S. Senate.
Feinstein, 89, has been battling health issues in recent years and was hospitalized last month after being diagnosed with a case of shingles.
“It’s time for @SenFeinstein to resign,” Khanna said on Twitter. “We need to put the country ahead of personal loyalty. While she has had a lifetime of public service, it is obvious she can no longer fulfill her duties.”
“Not speaking out undermines our credibility as elected representatives of the people,” he added.
It’s time for @SenFeinstein to resign. We need to put the country ahead of personal loyalty. While she has had a lifetime of public service, it is obvious she can no longer fulfill her duties. Not speaking out undermines our credibility as elected representatives of the people.
— Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) April 12, 2023
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After months of consideration, Khanna told CNN last month that he would not run for Feinstein’s seat and that he would instead endorse Barbara Lee (D-LA).
“I have concluded that, despite a lot of enthusiasm from Bernie folks, the best place, the most exciting place, action place for me to serve as a progressive is in the House of Representatives,” Khanna said to “State of the Union” anchor Jake Tapper.
“I’m honored to be co-chairing Barbara Lee’s campaign for the Senate and endorsing her today,” he added. “We need a strong anti-war senator, and she will play that role.”
Democrats have worried for some time about how much longer Feinstein will be able to serve in the U.S. Senate.
In February, her office put out a statement on Twitter saying that she was not seeking re-election.
“I am announcing today I will not run for reelection in 2024 but intend to accomplish as much for California as I can through the end of next year when my term ends,” Feinstein wrote on Twitter. “Even with a divided Congress, we can still pass bills that will improve lives.”
“Each of us was sent here to solve problems. That’s what I’ve done for the last 30 years, and that’s what I plan to do for the next two years,” she added. “My thanks to the people of California for allowing me to serve them.”
When asked about her decision to retire, Feinstein appeared confused by the question.
“I haven’t made that decision,” she told reporters. “I haven’t released anything.”
One of her staffers told her that they “put out the statement.”
“You put out the statement?” she reportedly responded. “I didn’t know they put it out.”
“It is what it is,” she told reporters. “I think the time has come.”
This report has been updated to include additional information.