WASHINGTON — The Congressional Black Caucus on Sunday urged California Gov. Gavin Newsom to nominate Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., to the seat of the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein.
“She is the one individual with the braveness, imaginative and prescient, and document to finish poverty, confront the fossil gasoline trade, defend our democracy, and tirelessly advance the progressive agenda,” wrote CBC President Stephen Horsford, D-Nev. in Letter to Newsom Sunday. “For these causes, we strongly urge you to nominate Congresswoman Barbara Lee to the USA Senate.”
Newsom, a Democrat, is anticipated to quickly select a successor to Feinstein, who died at age 90 final week. She was the longest-serving lady within the Senate, identified for defending gun management measures and looking for widespread floor with Republicans.
A supply near Newsom advised NBC Information on Friday that he would announce an interim appointment to Feinstein’s seat within the coming days.
Newsom He said previously That he would select a black lady if both of the 2 Senate seats in his state had been open. He additionally mentioned on NBC Information “Meet the press” He intends to make an “interim” appointment and never choose any of the present candidates vying for Feinstein’s seat — who embrace Lee, together with Reps. Adam Schiff and Katie Porter — as a result of that may unfairly tip the scales within the race.
In February, Feinstein introduced her plans to retire on the finish of her time period in 2024 as she confronted calls to resign over well being considerations.
Lee formally introduced her long-awaited Senate bid a few week after Feinstein introduced her plans to retire. She jumped into the race in opposition to Schiff and Porter, two well-funded Democrats who’re additionally searching for the seat that Feinstein left behind.
in Letter to NewsomHorsford nodded to Lee’s legislative document as a progressive.
“From authoring California’s first anti-violence regulation to casting the lone vote in opposition to the licensed navy use of pressure to saving 25 million individuals from the ravages of AIDS; from increasing SNAP, to authoring the Rental Invoice of Rights, and introducing the Chief Govt Overpayment Act; he wrote Horsford: “Congresswoman Barbara Lee is – unquestionably – your best option for this appointment.”
“Her unparalleled legislative document, lengthy management within the Democratic Celebration, and deep dedication to justice and equality are past evaluate,” he added.
He additionally pointed to the private difficulties Lee confronted earlier than her profession in politics, equivalent to escaping an abusive marriage, experiencing homelessness whereas elevating two kids as a single mom, and opening a psychological well being clinic to serve weak individuals in her neighborhood.
Newsom’s workplace didn’t instantly reply to a request for touch upon the caucus speech.
CBC Lee’s endorsement comes after Republican senators mentioned they might not attempt to block Democrats from changing Feinstein on the Judiciary Committee.
Feinstein’s dying left Democrats with no majority on the primary committee, which was now evenly break up, 10-10, between Democrats and Republicans. The tie vote prevents President Joe Biden’s judicial nominees from exiting the committee if Democrats lack the GOP help wanted to ship any potential justices to the total Senate.