Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) sounded the call this past Wednesday for Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) to officially resign, claiming that it has not become quite "obvious" that can no longer carry out the duties of her role in the U.S. Senate.
The 89-year-old Feinstein has been struggling with a large number of health issues over the past few years and has been hospitalized for the past month in the wake of being diagnosed with a severe case of shingles.
"It’s time for @SenFeinstein to resign," exclaimed Khanna via social media. "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 went on to say.
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
In the wake of quite a bit of consideration, Khanna explained to CNN late last month that he would not be making a run for Feinstein's seat and that he would instead stand behind another candidate, 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," explained Khanna to Jake Tapper, anchor of "State of the Union."
"I’m honored to be co-chairing Barbara Lee’s campaign for the Senate and endorsing her today," he stated. "We need a strong anti-war senator, and she will play that role."
Democrats have long worried about these health issues and just how much longer Feinstein will be able to work within and serve on the U.S. Senate.
Back in February, Her office put out its own statement via social media claiming that she would not be 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," stated Feinstein via social media. "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 stated. "My thanks to the people of California for allowing me to serve them."
When questioned about her choice to officially retire, Feinstein seemed quite confused by the question.
"I haven’t made that decision," she stated to the press. "I haven’t released anything."
At which point on of her staffers explained to her that they "put out the statement."
"You put out the statement?" she responded seemingly lost. "I didn’t know they put it out."