CNN host Jake Tapper pushed Senator Dick Durbin on Dianne Feinstein's refusal to retire, reminding Durbin of what happened in the aftermath of Ruth Bader Ginsburg's tragic death while still on the Supreme Court.
Durbin admitted little action could be taken despite the revelation that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas been accepting gifts on the down low for some time from wealthy Republicans.
"One of the reasons that you are a little hamstrung from acting is because your colleague Senator Dianne Feinstein, Democrat of California, is still out sick," Tapper said.
"At what point do the tens of millions of voters currently lacking full representation in the Senate from California, at what point do they matter more than the feelings of a colleague whose health has been in question for a long time?" Tapper asked.
Sen. Durbin expressed his love and support for his longtime colleague and admitted she has recently faced very troubling times, both physically and family-wise.
Tapper then said what should be said.
"I mean, all due respect, sir, you and your fellow Democrats were very ginger and very polite when it came to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in not pushing her to retire when you had a Democratic majority in the Senate," he said. "How did that work out for you? How did that work out for Roe v. Wade?"
Sen. Durbin ignored the question about the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. After celebrating Sen. Feinstein, Durbin admitted her situation is causing a big problem in the Senate.
"And I don't want to say that she's going to be put under more pressure than others have been in the past. But the bottom line is, the business of the committee and of the Senate is affected by her absence," Durbin admitted.
Sen. Feinstein is 89 years old. I understand how much she loves being a senator. She's given her life to public service, but her health is a great concern, both to her own well-being and to the constituents she serves, and is currently not serving.
If not now, when?
