Senator Dianne Feinstein, the 90-year-old Democratic senator from California, fell in her San Francisco home on August 8th and went to the hospital, according to her spokesperson, Adam Russell.
Driving the news: Feinstein’s hospital visit lasted about two hours, and all her scans were clear. The fall is described as minor and not involving any serious injuries.
- This incident marks the latest in a series of health setbacks for the long-time senator. Earlier this year, she missed nearly three months of Senate votes as she recovered from shingles.
- Feinstein has also made headlines recently due to concerns about her mental acuity. She is often seen in a wheelchair and has shown signs of confusion in both hallway interviews and during committee hearings. Her daughter, Katherine Feinstein, has power of attorney over the lawmaker, according to court documents related to her late husband’s estate.
- Feinstein has faced Democratic calls to step down from her position early, which would scramble the Senate race and allow Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom to name a replacement. Calls for her to step down early, quieted down since coming back to work after the shingles health setback.
The backstory: Feinstein’s Senate term expires in January 2025, and she is not seeking reelection. Democratic Reps. Adam Schiff, Katie Porter, and Barbara Lee are competing to replace her in the deep-blue state.
- In addition to her health issues and retirement, some senators are also expressing concerns about hearing confirmations. Several judicial nominees stalled in the Judiciary Committee during Feinstein’s absence. She asked Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to replace her, but Republicans refused and promised to block any such effort.
- Only time will tell how these factors will impact the future of Feinstein’s position as a senator and the upcoming election for her replacement in 2025.
