Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) reportedly was confused last year when Vice President Kamala Harris was presiding over the Senate and was called upon to cast a tiebreaking vote.
Feinstein, 89, supposedly asked her colleagues, “What is [Kamala Harris] doing here?” when the vice president was performing her duty as president of the Senate, according to a report from the New York Times.
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Feinstein has an incredible legacy, becoming the longest-serving woman senator last year. However, her colleagues have reportedly been worried about her memory declining for years.
Feinstein has had short-term memory problems recently. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, a lawmaker reported the California Democrat often asked repeated questions and forgot important information.
The source said in 2022 that years ago, Feinstein was “always in command, always in charge, on top of the details, basically couldn’t resist a conversation where she was driving some bill or some idea,” stating that in present time, “all of that is gone.”
Feinstein said she would not run for reelection in 2024 in February but chose to serve the rest of her term despite heavy pushback from some in her party. Feinstein returned to the Senate Judiciary Committee after a monthslong absence, assisted to the chamber by multiple aides. Since her return, the California Democrat's health has prompted concern as she recovers from shingles and other medical problems.
Her office originally denied Feinstein's shingles diagnosis led to any broader health complications, but earlier this month, her office revealed the shingles caused encephalitis — or swelling of the brain.
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As of last week, five Democrats have called for the senator's resignation, including Reps. Ro Khanna (D-CA), Dean Phillips (D-MN), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), and Ritchie Torres (D-NY).
The Washington Examiner reached out to Feinstein's office for a comment.