Senate Republicans blocking Democrats from temporarily replacing Feinstein on Judiciary Committee

Senate Republicans say they'll block efforts to temporarily replace Democrat Sen. Dianne Feinstein on the Senate Judiciary Committee, as members of her conference attempt to end the backlog of Biden judicial appointees created by her absence on Capitol Hill. 

The committee, which recommends nominees for a final floor vote, has a Democrat majority. But Feinstein's absence since March, as a result of the shingles virus, has resulted in 10-10 ties among the other members.

At least five GOP committee members  – Sens. Marsha Blackburn (Tenn.), John Cornyn (Texas), Tom Cotton (Ark.), John Kennedy (La.) and Thom Tillis (N.C.) – say they will oppose efforts to replace Feinstein or see no reason to take her off the committee, according to The Hill newspaper.

"I, for one, am not going to help President Biden’s most unqualified nominees to get confirmed," Cornyn said. "I don’t think you’ll see us help in that effort."

The 89-year-old Feinstein asked Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer last week to replace her on the committee, which would require a full chamber vote.

Schumer said he plans on introducing a resolution to replace Feinstein by unanimous consent this week, and if it fails as expected, Democrats would need 60 votes to break a filibuster and remove her.

It is unlikely that 10 Republicans would join Democrats to break the filibuster, as even moderate conservatives such as Sens. Susan Collins (Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) have voiced opposition to replacing Feinstein.