Re: Feinstein, my understanding of why they’ve kept he is that, with her, the Dems have a one-seat majority on the Judicial Committee. The moment she resigns, it’s an even split. Customarily, the Senate would promptly appoint a replacement and all would be well. However, that vote would be subject to the filibuster, and the Dems don’t trust McConnell to not block it. If McConnell does block a replacement, then the Judicial Committee stays split and appointing any judges becomes completely impossible.

They’d rather deal with Feinstein’s limited availability rather than take the gamble that they’d be allowed to fill a replacement. I agree that she should absolutely retire, but there are political games that have to be considered when the stakes are this high.