With SenFeinstein dealing with a “health matter” and JohnFetterman hospitalized with clinical depression, the Democrats have had difficulty maintaining their slim voting majority in the Senate. VP has acted as the tie-braking vote this week.
Four senators have missed all of their votes this week, three Democrats and one Republican, underscoring just how tenuous the 51-49 Democratic control of the upper chamber is.Sen. Dianne Feinstein has left Washington to deal with a “health matter,” according to a spokesperson, and it's not clear when she'll be back for Senate votes. “She hopes to return to Washington soon,” her office said on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Sen. John Fetterman has been undergoing treatment for clinical depression since Feb. 15, with no clear date of return, and Sen. Jeff Merkley flew home after his mother died on Monday. Sen. Bob Casey had prostate cancer surgery last month but has since returned to work at the Capitol.As a result of the absences, Democrats have functionally had a 48-48 majority this week, leading Vice President Kamala Harris to step in to cast several tiebreaking votes.
Even once Merkley and Crapo return, the balance in the Senate will be 49-49. The Senate absences could also have implications outside of judicial nominations. The absences could also make it easier for Republicans to pass their legislative priorities. The party is already using a congressional tool that rescinds recently finalized rules with a simple majority vote in both chambers and the signature of the president, giving Republicans a limited ability to send bills to Biden's desk even though they don't control the upper chamber.
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