Senate GOP on Feinstein Replacement: That's a No

Sens. Mitch McConnell and John Fetterman got back to work on Monday after lengthy medical leaves, but Dianne Feinstein did not—and the question of whether Senate Republicans would allow a temporary replacement for her on the Judiciary Committee was quickly answered. As the Hill reports, "GOP senators of all stripes" responded with a hard no. At issue are several of President Biden's judicial nominations, which are currently stalled in the absence of the six-term, 89-year-old senator. The panel is currently deadlocked at 10-10. A look around at what Feinstein's colleagues are saying, also via Politico:

• Sen. John Cornyn, Texas Republican and senior member of the committee: "I, for one, am not going to help President Biden’s most unqualified nominees to get confirmed. I don’t think you’ll see us help in that effort."
• Sen. Thom Tillis, North Carolina Republican and committee member: "I will vote against any attempt by Senate Democrats to temporarily replace Sen. Feinstein on the Judiciary Committee. I deeply respect Senator Feinstein, but this is an unprecedented request solely intended to appease those pushing for radical, activist judges."
• Sen. Susan Collins, Maine Republican: "Sen. Feinstein has been an extraordinary senator and she’s a good friend of mine. During the last two years, there’s been a concerted campaign to force her off the judiciary committee, and I will have no part of that."
• Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Alaska Republican: "We need to respect not only Senator Feinstein, but also our protocols here in the Senate."
• Sen. John Thune, South Dakota Republican: "The Dems are sort of using this because they want pressure on her to resign. And I think this gives them sort of a lever to do that."
• Sen. Dick Durbin, Illinois Democrat and committee chair: "She’s asked to be replaced and I hope we can achieve that. … The rain can fall on both sides of the road, and Republicans ought to think a little bit about what this means. Tomorrow they may be facing the exact same thing."
• Sen. Chuck Schumer, New York Democrat: "She believes she will return soon. She’s very hopeful of that, and so am I."

(More Dianne Feinstein stories.)