- Sen. Dianne Feinstein was hospitalized Tuesday evening after falling at her home.
- This is just the latest setback for the Senate’s oldest member.
- Feinstein previously missed months of votes after contracting shingles.
Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein was hospitalized after tripping and falling in her San Francisco home.
Feinstein stayed at a nearby hospital Tuesday night, TMZ first reported the news. Feinstein went to the hospital as a precaution and quickly returned home, Feinstein spokesperson Adam Russell told the San Francisco Chronicle
“Senator Feinstein briefly went to the hospital yesterday afternoon as a precaution after a minor fall in her home,” a Feinstein spokesperson said in a statement shared with Insider. ‘All of her scans were clear and she returned home.”
Feinstein, the Senate’s oldest member, has struggled with health issues for months. The California Democrat missed nearly three months of votes in Washington earlier this year after she contracted shingles. At the time, congressional Democrats grew increasingly frustrated with her absence as it made it more difficult to move President Joe Biden’s judicial picks out of committee.
Feinstein previously said she would not run for reelection in 2024. She has repeatedly rejected calls to resign, including from fellow Democrats.
In recent weeks, Feinstein has been the subject of multiple instances that have only heightened questions about her standing. She appeared to be confused during a Senate Appropriations Committee vote. She also mistakenly voted in favor of a GOP-led amendment before the Senate Judiciary Committee. She later corrected herself.
It has also come to light that her daughter, Katherine Feinstein, a former San Francisco judge, holds power of attorney over her legal affairs. Power of attorney agreements can be invoked for any number of benign reasons, including convenience. The existence of the agreement has only furthered speculation about her standing. Her office has declined to provide any details about that or any other agreements.
Despite efforts by Democrats to limit some of her power, Feinstein continues to lead two subcommittees and serves on some of the most powerful and influential Senate committees, including the Appropriations, Judiciary, and Intelligence panels.