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Feinstein, 89, who has not voted in the narrowly divided Senate
since mid-February, said she would continue to work from home in
San Francisco while receiving treatment for a shingles
infection.
“I intend to return as soon as possible once my medical team
advises that it’s safe for me to travel," Feinstein said.
She said "my absence could delay the important work of the
Judiciary Committee" and has asked to step down until she is
able to resume work.
U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer will grant
Feinstein's request and ask the Senate next week to allow
another Democratic senator to temporarily serve on the
committee, a Schumer spokesperson said in a statement.
Earlier on Wednesday, Feinstein faced the first public calls for
her resignation by Democrats.
"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," California Representative Ro Khanna
said on Twitter.
Representative Dean Phillips said on Twitter "it’s now a
dereliction of duty to remain in the Senate and a dereliction of
duty for those who agree to remain quiet."
Feinstein, who will not run when up for reelection in 2024, is
currently the oldest serving U.S. senator.
(Reporting by Jasper Ward; Editing by Caitlin Webber & Shri
Navaratnam)
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