Chuck Grassley defends Dianne Feinstein in opposition to calls to push her out of Senate

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) is defending Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) in opposition to calls to resign over her prolonged absence from the Senate as she recovers from shingles.

Grassley, 89, informed CNN that it's "a disgrace" that some are calling for Feinstein, 89, to resign. Feinstein, who's in California as she recovers from a bout of shingles, has been out since February. The 89-year-old has stated she intends to return to the Senate.

CALIFORNIA DEMOCRATS PESTER NEWSOM WITH REQUESTS TO REPLACE MISSING SENATOR

“I feel it’s a disgrace that they’ve been choosing on her for 2 years,” Grassley stated.

The Iowa Republican additionally lamented how these calling for Feinstein to resign are "choosing on anyone that is older" and that they aren't exhibiting "correct respect."

"They're choosing on anyone that is older, and it simply does not present the right respect," stated Grassley. "So, let's simply go away it this manner. They need to go away her alone. She's sick."

Grassley additionally denounced how Feinstein was not chosen to be the chairwoman of the Senate Judiciary Committee when Democrats took management of the chamber in 2021. Feinstein had served as rating member from 2017 till 2021, however Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) was chosen to be chairman below the Democratic majority.

Feinstein was launched from the hospital in March and has already stated she won't search one other time period for her Senate seat, which she was first elected to in 1992. The race for her seat is already shaping as much as be a fierce battle between Golden State Democrats.

If she had been to resign, it could imply Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) would get to nominate a substitute till an election is held for the seat. Newsom appointed Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) to fill the emptiness left by then-Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) when she resigned to turn out to be vice chairman in 2021.

Having to nominate Feinstein's successor may very well be a political nightmare for Newsom amid the hotly contested main for the seat, and Newsom has stated he has been engulfed in communications from folks making an attempt to exchange Feinstein.