Members of the New York Times Editorial Board joined a growing number people calling on Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., to resign. Sen. Feinstein has been absent from Capitol since late February as she recovers from a shingles infection. The board published an opinion piece titled “Dianne Feinstein Has to Act” on Friday, May 5.

“If she cannot fulfill her obligations to the Senate and to her constituents, she should resign and turn over her responsibilities to an appointed successor,” the board wrote in the piece. “If she is unable to reach that decision on her own, Mr. Schumer, the majority leader, and other Democratic senators should make it clear to her and the public how important it is that she do so.”

With the piece, the New York Times’ opinion board joined several Democratic lawmakers who are also calling on Feinstein to resign. They include:

• Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.
• Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich.
• Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif.
• Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn.

Earlier in the week of April 30, Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said he spoke to Feinstein over the previous weekend. He added he was “hopeful” she can return to Capitol Hill next week.

In April 2023, Feinstein called on the Senate to temporarily replace her on the Judiciary Committee. Republicans declined to do so, and several judicial nominations have been held up since.

“While the Senate Judiciary Committee has advanced eight strong nominees during my absence, I’m disappointed that Republicans are blocking a few in committee,” Feinstein tweeted on Thursday, May 4. “I’m confident that when I return, we will be able to move the remaining qualified nominees to the Senate floor for a vote.”