Name: Feinstein to step down as top Democrat on Judiciary Committee
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Feinstein to step down as top Democrat on Judiciary Committee

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Follow Us   © 1996-2020 News Communication Sen. (Calif.) announced Monday she is stepping down as the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee after groups on the left such as NARAL Pro-Choice America criticized her handling of ’s Supreme Court confirmation hearing this fall.Feinstein said she needs to focus on “two existential threats” facing California: wildfire and drought.“After serving as the lead Democrat on the Judiciary Committee for four years, I will not seek the chairmanship or ranking member position in the next Congress,” she said in a statement.Feinstein came under scathing criticism after she hugged Judiciary Committee Chairman (R-S.C.) at the end of Barrett’s confirmation hearing and praised his handling of it.The collegial gesture was out of step with the Democrats' messaging, which sought to portray the Republicans' expedited schedule for placing Barrett on the high court before the election as an unfair circumvention of voters after the GOP blocked Judge ’s nomination to the Supreme Court during the 2016 presidential election.Feinstein sparked outrage on the left after she thanked Graham for “one of the best set of hearings that I’ve participated in” and praised her GOP colleague for “fairness” and “the opportunity of going back and forth.”Two groups, NARAL Pro-Choice America and Demand Justice, both of which opposed Barrett’s nomination, immediately called on Feinstein to step down.NARAL Pro-Choice America’s Ilyse Hogue said in October that Feinstein failed to make clear that Barrett’s confirmation process was “unprecedented, shameful and wrong.”Brian Fallon, the executive director of Demand Justice, said Monday that Feinstein’s resignation as the Democratic leader of the Judiciary panel was “a necessary step.”  “This was a necessary step if Democrats are ever going to meaningfully confront the damage and have done to the federal judiciary,” Fallon said.“Going forward, Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee must be led by someone who will not wishfully cling to a bygone era of civility and decorum that Republicans abandoned long ago,” he added. “The next top Democrat on the committee must be someone who is willing to fight for President-elect Biden’s nominees no matter what, and who will pursue bold action to restore balance to our courts.”Feinstein’s decision sets up a potential contest between Sens. (Ill.) and (R.I.) over who will replace Feinstein as the top-ranking Democrat on the Judiciary panel.Durbin was reelected this month as the Senate minority whip, and there is no rule preventing him from serving as both the second-ranking Senate Democratic leader and the chairman or ranking member of the Judiciary Committee.Some Democratic senators, however, say privately that the Democratic whip shouldn’t also be the chairman or ranking member of a powerful committee.  Durbin is one of the Senate’s leading proponents of protecting immigrants who came to the country at a young age from deportation under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which will be a top issue in 2021.Whitehouse on Monday praised Feinstein’s service.“Sen. Feinstein has led Judiciary Democrats with dignity and honor. I appreciate her service as ranking member and look forward to continuing our work together,” he said. Sen. (Vt.) is the most senior Judiciary Democrat, but he is already the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee. Senate Minority Leader (D-N.Y.) praised Feinstein on Monday for her leadership of the committee.“I am deeply grateful for Sen. Feinstein’s leadership and contributions to our caucus and country,” he said. “As a senior member of the Judiciary, Appropriations, Intelligence and Rules Committees, I know Sen. Feinstein will continue her work as one of the nation’s leading advocates for women’s and voting rights, gun safety reform, civil liberties, health care and the rights of immigrants  who are yearning to become citizens.”Feinstein said in her statement Monday that she will continue to work on priorities such as gun safety, immigration reform and inequities in criminal justice.“I will continue to do my utmost to bring about positive change in the coming years,” she said. Feinstein, who is 87 years old, was re-elected to a 6th term in 2018. Senate Democrats do not have term-limits on committee chairmanships and ranking-memberships.—Updated at 7:05 p.m.RisingChanging AmericaRisingChanging AmericaSponsoredDon't miss a brief.The Hill 1625 K Street, NW Suite 900 Washington DC 20006 | 202-628-8500 tel | 202-628-8503 faxThe contents of this site are ©2020 Capitol Hill Publishing Corp., a subsidiary of News Communications, Inc.

Follow Us   © 1996-2020 News Communication Sen. (Calif.) announced Monday she is stepping down as the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee after groups on the left such as NARAL Pro-Choice America criticized her handling of ’s Supreme Court confirmation hearing this fall.Feinstein said she needs to focus on “two existential threats” facing California: wildfire and drought.“After serving as the lead Democrat on the Judiciary Committee for four years, I will not seek the chairmanship or ranking member position in the next Congress,” she said in a statement.Feinstein came under...

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Feinstein to step down as top Democrat on Judiciary Committee

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