Khanna to Ailing Feinstein: Step Down 'With Dignity'

Rep. Ro Khanna, doubling down on his call for Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., to resign, said this week that "it's sad for anyone to see" the 89-year-old veteran lawmaker remain in office while her health is suffering.

"First, let me say, I admire her career," the California Democrat said in an interview with MSNBC's Alex Wagner on Thursday. "She has had an extraordinary career. But it's sad for anyone to see, and it's sad for her own colleagues to see."

The New York Times reported this week that there were more medical issues connected with Feinstein's recovery from shingles, including a diagnosis of encephalitis, or brain swelling, than had initially been known.

"I'm hopeful that people who are close to her can talk to her and just say, Look, end your service with dignity. Step aside; let the governor appoint someone," Khanna said.

"For her own career, for her own legacy, it would be good," he added. "It would be good for California. We all have seen an athlete that plays one or two more seasons. Now it's painful to watch."

Although Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-Calif., has been facing pressure to name a replacement, it will be up to Feinstein to decide when she retires. Khanna said it's his "hope" that she makes that decision for "her own dignity."

Khanna said that he doesn't think Feinstein should be forced into retirement, but he thinks people close to her "should have a loving conversation about it being time."

Feinstein now uses a wheelchair and has been accompanied on Capitol Hill by Nancy Corinne Prowda, the oldest child of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, another California Democrat, which has raised questions about Pelosi's role in keeping Feinstein in office, reports Politico.

Prowda escorted Feinstein around Capitol Hill, including this week helping aides surround the senator in a hallway when a reporter tried to talk to her.

Feinstein and the Pelosi family, all from San Fransisco, have long had a personal and political relationship. In recent months, the former speaker has said that calls for the senator to resign are sexist and ageist.

However, some Democrats, particularly progressives, have been urging Feinstein to retire so that the Senate Judiciary Committee can address judge vacancies while their party holds the Senate majority.

• Calif. Dems Pressure Gov. Newsom About Sen. Feinstein
• Sen. Feinstein Still Pressured by Fellow Dems to Go