AOC Calls On Feinstein To Resign: Report

WASHINGTON, DC — Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is calling for Sen. Dianne Feinstein to step down, CNN reported, in the wake of the 89-year-old California Democrat’s extended absence from Congress and illness from shingles.

“Her refusal to either retire or show up is causing great harm to the judiciary - precisely where repro rights are getting stripped,” Ocasio-Cortez, 33, posted on the social media app Bluesky, according to CNN. “That failure means now in this precious window Dems can only pass GOP- approved nominees.”

Feinstein “should retire,” the New York Democrat posted, adding “criticisms of that stance as ‘anti-feminist’ are a farce,” CNN reported.

Feinstein disclosed in March she had been diagnosed with shingles over the Senate’s February recess and had been hospitalized but expected to make a full recovery and return to work. This development came after she announced in mid-February she would not seek re-election in 2024 but intended to finish her current term.

The senator in April requested she be temporarily replaced on the Judiciary Committee after Democratic California Rep. Ro Khanna asked her to resign from the Senate. The replacement was blocked by Republicans.

Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa called efforts to push Feinstein out of office “anti-human,” while Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins said the attempt to replace Feinstein on the committee was “disrespectful.” Both Collins and Democratic Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California suggested sexism was at play.

Feinstein’s absence, which comes as her health and memory have noticeably declined in recent years, means that some of Biden's picks for the federal bench are stalled in committee.

Democrats say Republicans snubbed a sick colleague when they blocked Feinstein's unusual request to be temporarily replaced.

Republicans say Democrats are unfairly trying to force her off one important committee — she serves on others — simply to game the system because they lack the votes to move Biden's most partisan nominees.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.