# Should Diane Feinstein resign from the senate? She has missed some 60+ of 80+ votes this year {2023-09-29 she passed away} **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [April 13, 2023, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-diane-feinstein-resign-from-the-senate-she-has-missed-some-60-of-80-votes-this-year-2023-09-29-she-passed-away/982629 "2023-04-13T15:32:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 17
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2023, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-diane-feinstein-resign-from-the-senate-she-has-missed-some-60-of-80-votes-this-year-2023-09-29-she-passed-away/982629/321 "2023-09-29T13:42:41Z")
I hope her legacy for good overshadows the last few months. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2023, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-diane-feinstein-resign-from-the-senate-she-has-missed-some-60-of-80-votes-this-year-2023-09-29-she-passed-away/982629/322 "2023-09-29T13:48:25Z")
What’s the schedule for her appointment? Is it instantaneous as soon as Newsom proposes a replacement, or is there some drawn-out process? ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2023, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-diane-feinstein-resign-from-the-senate-she-has-missed-some-60-of-80-votes-this-year-2023-09-29-she-passed-away/982629/323 "2023-09-29T13:53:33Z")
With her dementia, I can’t help but wonder if Feinstein is even aware of what just happened. It’s the natural solution to our recent gerontocracy. Time waits for no person. (donald, clarence, mitch - I’m looking at all y’all) ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2023, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-diane-feinstein-resign-from-the-senate-she-has-missed-some-60-of-80-votes-this-year-2023-09-29-she-passed-away/982629/324 "2023-09-29T13:58:30Z")
He can immediately name a replacement. Obviously he saw this coming so he knows who it is. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2023, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-diane-feinstein-resign-from-the-senate-she-has-missed-some-60-of-80-votes-this-year-2023-09-29-she-passed-away/982629/325 "2023-09-29T14:00:12Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > With her dementia, I can’t help but wonder if Feinstein is even aware of what just happened. I’m pretty sure she isn’t. > [@hajario](#): > > He can immediately name a replacement. > > Obviously he saw this coming so he knows who it is. I’m hoping the appointment is made by day’s end, with an announcement referencing the urgency of Congress’s work at this moment. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2023, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-diane-feinstein-resign-from-the-senate-she-has-missed-some-60-of-80-votes-this-year-2023-09-29-she-passed-away/982629/326 "2023-09-29T14:02:37Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > I’m hoping the appointment is made by day’s end, with an announcement referencing the urgency of Congress’s work at this moment. While Newsom could make the appointment at any time (I think) I would be willing to bet he will wait until at least after her funeral so he has time to consult with his advisors on who to pick. I would hope he has already done most of the work of vetting possible appointments to a very short list by now. He knew this was coming. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2023, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-diane-feinstein-resign-from-the-senate-she-has-missed-some-60-of-80-votes-this-year-2023-09-29-she-passed-away/982629/327 "2023-09-29T14:05:01Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > While Newsom could make the appointment at any time (I think) I would be willing to bet he will wait until at least after her funeral so he has time to consult with his advisors on who to pick. I would hope he has already done most of the work of vetting possible appointments to a very short list by now. He knew this was coming. I get the idea of waiting until it’s seemly to make an appointment. But I disagree that he should do so. The closeness of the Senate right now is so razor-thin that a single asshole like Sinema could throw everything into chaos. And with the impending shutdown due to the House’s insane clown posse, the last the the Senate needs to be is chaos. I definitely disagree that he should wait until he has time to consult with his advisors. Her death was obviously on the horizon, and he’s had all the time he needs to make a decision. If he hasn’t already decided on her replacement, that’s negligence. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2023, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-diane-feinstein-resign-from-the-senate-she-has-missed-some-60-of-80-votes-this-year-2023-09-29-she-passed-away/982629/328 "2023-09-29T14:06:45Z")
He can delay this a day or so, but Democrats only have a one-seat majority and we’re about to go into a government shutdown. As a result of her death, Republicans and Democrats are now tied on all committees she sat on which means they potentially can’t report out nominees or legislation. Newsom is criminally incompetent if he hasn’t already decided who he will pick. The only delay should be booking a flight from LA to DC. edit: or what @Left_Hand_of_Dorkness said ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2023, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-diane-feinstein-resign-from-the-senate-she-has-missed-some-60-of-80-votes-this-year-2023-09-29-she-passed-away/982629/329 "2023-09-29T14:07:35Z")
IIRC republicans have said they will not let her replacement on those committees. The judicial committee (at least) we be tied so no new judicial appointments at least until the next congress. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2023, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-diane-feinstein-resign-from-the-senate-she-has-missed-some-60-of-80-votes-this-year-2023-09-29-she-passed-away/982629/330 "2023-09-29T14:08:28Z")
If so, Democrats can and should change the rules to force it. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2023, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-diane-feinstein-resign-from-the-senate-she-has-missed-some-60-of-80-votes-this-year-2023-09-29-she-passed-away/982629/331 "2023-09-29T14:08:44Z")
No – they blocked an effort by Schumer to _temporarily_ replace her on committees. They do not have the ability to block her full replacement from taking over her committee assignments. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2023, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-diane-feinstein-resign-from-the-senate-she-has-missed-some-60-of-80-votes-this-year-2023-09-29-she-passed-away/982629/332 "2023-09-29T14:09:20Z")
Really? That’s a relief. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2023, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-diane-feinstein-resign-from-the-senate-she-has-missed-some-60-of-80-votes-this-year-2023-09-29-she-passed-away/982629/333 "2023-09-29T14:11:44Z")
Well, now Menendez is untouchable. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2023, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-diane-feinstein-resign-from-the-senate-she-has-missed-some-60-of-80-votes-this-year-2023-09-29-she-passed-away/982629/334 "2023-09-29T14:14:15Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Really? That’s a relief. I do need to qualify this – I _believe_ this is the case, based on well-established Senate precedents for replacement Senators. But who knows these days. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2023, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-diane-feinstein-resign-from-the-senate-she-has-missed-some-60-of-80-votes-this-year-2023-09-29-she-passed-away/982629/335 "2023-09-29T14:17:16Z")
> [@asterion](#): > > Well, now Menendez is untouchable. Only until a replacement arrives. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2023, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-diane-feinstein-resign-from-the-senate-she-has-missed-some-60-of-80-votes-this-year-2023-09-29-she-passed-away/982629/336 "2023-09-29T14:18:59Z")
Newsome at one point said he would choose an African American woman which would pretty much be Barbara Lee. She’s a front runner for the primary coming up next year. He later said that he’d pick a caretaker and let the voters choose the replacement coming up. Regardless, he doesn’t have to consult with anyone. He not only knew that this was a possibility a year ago, he was certainly tipped off a few days ago that it was imminent. The consultation has been done for a while. ---
**Author:** ![MulderMuffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldermuffin/32/2862_2.png) [@MulderMuffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MulderMuffin)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2023, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-diane-feinstein-resign-from-the-senate-she-has-missed-some-60-of-80-votes-this-year-2023-09-29-she-passed-away/982629/337 "2023-09-29T14:20:04Z")
> [@asterion](#): > > Well, now Menendez is untouchable. Sadly, that was my first reaction, too. But it’s not like her seat, or his, would go empty for long or that it would go to a Republican. If the California and New Jersey governors have their ducks in a row they can have some meat in the seat by Monday. I know several Representatives are angling for Feinstein’s seat. Do you think Newsome will put one of them in as a temporary Senator, thus further widening the Democratic minority in the House, or would he put in place merely a seat-warmer with no aspirations to run for the permanent seat? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2023, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-diane-feinstein-resign-from-the-senate-she-has-missed-some-60-of-80-votes-this-year-2023-09-29-she-passed-away/982629/338 "2023-09-29T14:20:46Z")
So I just double-checked. The Senate is now: 47 Democrats 49 Republicans Sinema Sanders King Sanders and King are pretty predictable, but Sinema is not. If she decided to caucus with Republicans, things become super-hairy. And she could do that at any moment. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2023, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-diane-feinstein-resign-from-the-senate-she-has-missed-some-60-of-80-votes-this-year-2023-09-29-she-passed-away/982629/339 "2023-09-29T14:21:23Z")
Moderating: Let’s have this discussion re Feinstein’s replacement in a new thread, please. This thread was for whether she should resign from the Senate. She’s gone, now, and a new conversation should begin. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2023, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-diane-feinstein-resign-from-the-senate-she-has-missed-some-60-of-80-votes-this-year-2023-09-29-she-passed-away/982629/340 "2023-09-29T14:44:06Z")
> [@Feinstein’s replacement speculation and breaking news thread {Laphonza Butler sworn in}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread/990865): > > Who do you think Newsome will choose? Who do you think he should choose? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-diane-feinstein-resign-from-the-senate-she-has-missed-some-60-of-80-votes-this-year-2023-09-29-she-passed-away/982629.md?page=16) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-diane-feinstein-resign-from-the-senate-she-has-missed-some-60-of-80-votes-this-year-2023-09-29-she-passed-away/982629.md?page=18)