Earlier this week, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the oldest member of Congress at 90 years old, was hospitalized after experiencing a minor fall in her San Francisco home. Her spokesperson confirmed that she went to the hospital as a precaution and all her scans came back clear.
“Senator briefly went to the hospital yesterday afternoon as a precaution after a minor fall in her home,” a Feinstein spokesperson said. “All of her scans were clear, and she returned home.”
Ms. Feinstein, a long-standing senator with a tenure of 30 years, has recently faced mounting pressure from both Democrats and voters to step down due to concerns surrounding her cognitive and physical health. Although she is not seeking reelection in 2024, questions about her well-being persist.
In June, Ms. Feinstein returned after an extended absence but continues to grapple with fragile health. She now relies on assistance from staff members who wheel her around the Capitol. Alarm bells rang louder when she displayed confusion during a committee vote, requiring guidance from fellow Democratic Sen. Patty Murray to cast her vote correctly.
A substantial majority of California voters, 63%, have expressed in a June Emerson College/Inside California Politics poll that they believe Ms. Feinstein should resign before her term officially concludes in January 2025.
Questions regarding Senator Feinstein's mental acuity have further arisen, particularly in light of her statement in May suggesting that she had not been absent from the Senate. More recently, during a hearing, she appeared confused and required instruction on how to vote.
Despite these concerns, Ms. Feinstein's office has not provided any comment in response to requests for clarification.