On Wednesday, her office reported that U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the oldest member of Congress, fell in her home and was hospitalized for a short time.
The California-born Democrat, who is 90 years old, was taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure after slipping and falling at home, according to her office. This comes as concerns about her health and ability to serve as an senator have increased since her husband took out maternity leave from her position.
Her spokesman, Adam Russell, confirmed that she returned home on Tuesday after her scans were clear, but did not provide any additional information.
Chuck Schumer, the Senate Majority Leader from New York, spoke with Feinstein on Wednesday morning.
“She reported having no injuries and only briefly visited the hospital as a precautionary measure,” Schumer stated. “I’m pleased that she has returned to her home.”
After being hospitalized for the shingles virus and its side effects, Feinstein returned to work in May, but has since been traveling around the Capitol halls in a wheelchair and appearing disoriented and confused. She was taken to the San Francisco hospital after missing several months of work earlier this year.
Despite her office’s announcement in May that she was still experiencing vision and balance problems caused by the shingles virus, Feinstein has maintained her ability to perform her job.
Feinstein, who assumed the presidency in 1992, declared earlier this year that she would not run again until 2024. Several Democrats have already been running for her position.
Her absence during her hospitalization in the spring was cited by progressive House Democrats as a reason for resignation, as it hindered the efforts to confirm President Joe Biden’s judicial nominees. Nevertheless, leading Democrats like Bijan and Schumer publicly stood beside her.
Despite this, Feinstein’s retirement plans have led to a fierce Democratic competition for her replacement, with three House members, including U.S. Reps. Barbara Lee, Katie Porter, and Adam Schiff, leading the way.
In the event that Feinstein leaves the race before 2024, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom will nominate a successor, potentially reorganizing the process to choose from her. The governor announced in 2021 that he would select if Feinsten, who is white, were to relinquish the position with an African-American woman.
The fact that Lee is Black and becomes the incumbent could be a significant advantage in this contest, but it remains to be seen whether Newsom would consider Lee since she is already running for the position.
Feinstein’s political career is characterized by her ability to transcend gender roles and take on leadership positions in the U.S. Senate, where she has been involved in political battles over reproductive and environmental issues, while also becoming known as a pragmatic centrist.
Over the past few years, she has resigned from senior positions at the Capitol. She gave up the top position on the Judiciary Committee to avoid criticism from liberals for her handling of Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation. Additionally, in 2016-17, Hillary declined to hold the position of Senate president pro tempore, despite being lined up to do so.
Feinstein requested a replacement on the Senate Judiciary panel during her 10-week hospital stay earlier this year, but Republicans refused to allow it. Even after her return, there were still worries that she would not be able to participate in all crucial votes.
It is anticipated that the Senate will resume its work in Washington in early September.
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