Dianne Feinstein to step down as top Democrat on Senate judiciary panel

California lawmaker, who has held position for four years, has faced growing opposition from progressives

The California senator Dianne Feinstein will not seek to retain her position as the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate judiciary committee.

After serving as the lead Democrat on the Judiciary Committee for four years, I will not seek the chairmanship or ranking member position in the next Congress," Feinstein said in a statement on Monday.