Khanna renews calls for Feinstein to resign after Senate votes to overturn Biden emissions rule
Cami Mondeaux
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Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) is renewing calls for Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) to step down from the Senate after her prolonged absence gave Republicans an opening to vote to overturn a Biden administration heavy-duty vehicle emissions rule.
Khanna’s comments come after the Senate on Wednesday narrowly voted to cancel an Environmental Protection Agency mandate that sought to tighten regulations on nitrogen oxides and particulate matter emitted from heavy-duty vehicles. The resolution passed after Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) joined Republicans in a 50-49 vote, angering some Democrats who say Feinstein being present would have tanked the GOP effort.
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“Because Senator Feinstein was absent, the Senate overturned a Biden rule that would cut pollution from heavy duty trucks and causes harm to people’s lungs,” Khanna tweeted. “We are putting decorum over democracy and our values. It’s time for Senator Feinstein to step down gracefully.”
Feinstein has been absent from the Senate since Feb. 27 after being diagnosed with shingles, prompting calls from some Democrats for the California senator to step down so the party can advance its legislative priorities. Khanna was the first lawmaker to call on Feinstein to resign earlier this month, lamenting that her absence has made it increasingly difficult to confirm President Joe Biden’s judicial nominations.
Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) echoed Khanna’s statements, calling on other Democrats to do the same.
“Senator Feinstein is a remarkable American whose contributions to our country are immeasurable,” Phillips tweeted on April 12. “But I believe it’s now a dereliction of duty to remain in the Senate and a dereliction of duty for those who agree to remain quiet.”
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It’s not yet clear when Feinstein will return to the Senate, but the California senator has acknowledged her health complications have kept her away longer than expected. As a result, Feinstein requested to be temporarily replaced on the Judiciary Committee so that Democrats can advance nominations despite her absence. That request was met with unified Republican resistance.
At 89 years old, Feinstein is the oldest member of Congress and is set to retire from her three-decade tenure at the end of her term. Her retirement has already attracted a crowded field of Democrats hoping to replace her as they seek to hold on to their slim majority in the Senate.
Khanna is backing one of those Democrats — Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA).