Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s Death: Next Steps and Political Implications 

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 Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer will need to secure the full chamber’s approval for her replacement(s). 

Historically, such changes have been approved with minimal controversy. But earlier this year, Senate Republicans obstructed Democrats’ efforts to temporarily remove Feinstein from the Judiciary panel due to her health issues. This caused delays in confirming President Joe Biden’s federal judicial nominees. 

Prominent Republicans, including Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, indicated their intent to block any replacement for Feinstein on the Judiciary Committee if the need arose.

In the short term, a vacant seat may impede Democrats’ ability to swiftly confirm lower-court nominees. 

Even in the event of a Supreme Court justice’s death, Democrats could force a full vote on a potential Biden nominee, as seen in the case of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. Schumer utilized a procedural maneuver to advance Jackson’s nomination out of the committee, ultimately securing her confirmation to the Supreme Court.

Next Steps in California

In the state of California, the process for selecting Feinstein’s replacement is complex. Californians will cast their votes four times next year to determine the future of one U.S. Senate seat.