California Senator Dianne Feinstein seems to not remember that she was away from Congress for months due to a bout with shingles.
The 89-year-old longtime senator made curious comments to reporters at the Capitol on Tuesday.
The backstory: Feinstein returned to work at the Capitol last week after being away since February receiving treatment for shingles.
- During her absence, fellow Democrats called for her to step down since the Senate could not approve judicial nominees without her vote.
- Feinstein previously announced her upcoming retirement from the Senate when her term ends next year, wrapping up a career in the upper chamber that started in 1992.
Driving the news: Feinstein voted on the Senate floor this week, and on Tuesday she needed assistance from a male staffer to walk to the floor.
- Shortly after voting she was spotted in a wheelchair and told reporters that she has a problem with her leg, declining to expand on what the specific issue is.
What she said: According to a report from Slate, a reporter asked Feinstein what the response has been from her colleagues since she has returned to work.
- “No, I haven’t been gone,” Feinstein said. She added, “I haven’t been gone. I’ve been working.”
- Reporters asked if she meant that she had been working from home. Her response: “No, I’ve been here. I’ve been voting. Please. You either know or don’t know.”
- Before last week Feinstein had not voted in the Senate since February.
