Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) says many of his fellow Democrats agree with his call for Rep. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) to resign.

Feinstein, 89, is the oldest member of the Senate and has been missing from her role since being diagnosed with shingles in February.

Khanna says Democrats are privately praising his Feinstein resignation call https://t.co/sNIlVRvaXv

— MSN (@MSN) April 16, 2023

The concern

"Tensions over Feinstein's absence boiled over as it became clear this week that she would not return at the conclusion of Senate recess on Monday, with two House Democrats, including one from her home state, calling for her resignation," the Washington Examiner reported.

"The lawmakers, Khanna and Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN), said Tuesday in separate statements that while the longtime California lawmaker deserved praise for her storied political career, her health problems were affecting her ability to fulfill her duties," it added.

It’s time for @SenFeinstein to resign. We need to put the country ahead of personal loyalty. While she has had a lifetime of public service, it is obvious she can no longer fulfill her duties. Not speaking out undermines our credibility as elected representatives of the people.

— Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) April 12, 2023

The challenge

Khanna publicly called for Feinstein to resign in a post on Twitter on Wednesday.

"It’s time for @SenFeinstein to resign. We need to put the country ahead of personal loyalty," he tweeted.

"While she has had a lifetime of public service, it is obvious she can no longer fulfill her duties. Not speaking out undermines our credibility as elected representatives of the people," he added.

Democratic lawmakers demand Sen. Dianne Feinstein, 89, resign: ‘Can no longer fulfill her duties’ https://t.co/jRiDZBuETI pic.twitter.com/PXNTKPoPHH

— New York Post (@nypost) April 12, 2023

Feinstein has refused to step down despite the attacks from her fellow California senator.

“When I was first diagnosed with shingles, I expected to return by the end of the March work period. Unfortunately, my return to Washington has been delayed due to continued complications related to my diagnosis,” she said in a statement.

“I intend to return as soon as possible once my medical team advises that it’s safe for me to travel. In the meantime, I remain committed to the job and will continue to work from home in San Francisco,” she added.

The ongoing health battle is keeping Democrats from moving forward with many nominations and other key legislation which is likely to continue the pressure for the senator to retire or resign in the near future.