During a Senate Appropriations Committee meeting, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) confused colleagues when she
launched into a speech mid-vote.
The committee had met to approve
12 appropriation bills, and when called upon for the verbal vote, Ms. Feinstein had a halting start as she searched for words, ignoring her colleague committee chair Patty Murray’s (D-Wa.) instructions to “just say aye.”
She continued, reading her speech, “I would like to support a ‘yes’ vote on this. It provides $823 billion, that’s an increase of $26 billion for the Department of Defense and it funds priorities...”
Ms. Murray’s repeated instructions that Ms. Feinstein “just say aye” went ignored until a staffer interrupted Ms. Feinstein, whispering in her ear. She voted “aye” and the vote continued.
Just the day before, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) drew concern from his colleagues and the press corps when, after beginning a press conference, he appeared to freeze for nearly 20 seconds. Mr. McConnell was escorted away from the podium by Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), who was a physician, and later returned to take questions. He told reporters “I’m fine” and an aide said Mr. McConnell was feeling lightheaded when he stepped away.
Congress was set to begin a recess on Friday, but ended talks on Thursday amid an excessive
heat warning, leaving budget agreements in the balance. Lawmakers aren’t set to return until Sept. 12, with just days left to resolve the budget issues by Sept. 30.
Mr. McConnell had suffered a concussion earlier this year, and was away from the Senate for about a month.
Earlier this year, Ms. Feinstein also had health complications and took an absence. After being hospitalized with shingles in March, she asked to be temporarily replaced on the Judiciary Committee in April, and missed 91
votes during her 10-week absence.
The illness left some paralysis in her face, and she was seen using a wheelchair for some time after her return. Questions about her health and fitness to hold office have been raised by many, as this was not the first episode of confusion in the chamber. Ms. Feinstein is currently seeking more control of her late husband’s
trust in order to cover “significant medical expenses,” according to the petition.
At 90, Ms. Feinstein is the Senate’s oldest member and has said she will not resign, but also will not seek reelection in 2024.
California voters were polled in June, asking whether they think Ms. Feinstein should step down. The majority, 63 percent, said she should, while 37 percent said she should serve out the remainder of her term.
Should a senator resign, the governor of the state will appoint a replacement. When Kamala Harris resigned from her seat to become vice president. Gov. Gavin Newsom chose California’s Secretary of State Alex Padilla to replace her. Mr. Newsom has been pressured to share his decisions for a replacement long
before Ms. Feinstein’s hospitalization this year, and in 2021 he vowed to
appoint a black woman should Ms. Feinstein resign.
