McConnell Opposes Replacing Ailing Dianne Feinstein on Judiciary Committee
- Feinstein has been away from Washington for two months
- Move means some Biden judicial nominees remain in limbo
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Senate Republicans blocked a bid by Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to temporarily replace an ailing Senator Dianne Feinstein on the Judiciary Committee with another Democrat, leaving a cluster of President Joe Biden’s judicial picks in limbo.
Schumer sought agreement of all senators to quickly swap in Senator Ben Cardin of Maryland, but he was thwarted when South Carolina’s Lindsey Graham objected. Some Republicans this week balked at the idea and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell earlier Tuesday opposed the move, saying replacing Feinstein could allow the committee to approve judicial nominees that don’t have GOP backing.