Sen. Dianne Feinstein plans to step down as the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee in the next Congress, according to three people familiar with the matter.
The 87-year-old California Democrat faced blowback from progressives for her handling of Amy Coney Barrett’s contentious Supreme Court confirmation hearings, particularly after praising Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) for his handling of the process and giving him a hug.
After the hearings, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said he had a “long and serious” talk with Feinstein. Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) is next in line for the job, followed by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).
