During a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) appeared to have a moment of confusion that led to an unintentional interruption. While a roll call vote on the defense appropriations bill was taking place, Feinstein mistakenly started delivering a speech in support of the measure. Both a committee staffer and Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-Wash.) promptly intervened and requested her to simply say "aye."
Feinstein's intended statement expressed her support for a yes vote on the bill, noting that it provides $823 billion, which accounts for a $26 billion increase for the Department of Defense. However, before she could elaborate on the funding priorities, the interruption occurred, leading her to comply with the request to cast her vote by saying "aye."
A spokesperson for Feinstein attributed this moment of confusion to a slight chaos during the committee markup. The markup, designed to complete all of the appropriations bills before recess, involved swiftly transitioning between statements, votes, and debates, leading to a mixed order of bills. Consequently, the senator became preoccupied during the voting process, mistakenly assuming that the debate was ongoing when, in fact, a vote had been called. Once she was informed of the situation, she immediately cast her vote.
It is worth noting that Feinstein, who announced earlier this year that she will not seek another term in office, recently experienced an extended absence from work due to a severe case of shingles. Since her return, she has been consistently present and actively engaged in her duties, utilizing a wheelchair to navigate the Capitol complex.
Despite her determined resolve, Feinstein has occasionally exhibited visible instances of confusion. For instance, earlier this year, she momentarily contradicted her announcement about her plans for the 2024 term when speaking with reporters. Furthermore, upon her return to the Capitol, she remarked, "I haven't been gone. I've been working," indicating a possible lapse in recollection.