Feinstein’s office says senator did not realize debate had ended during awkward moment
Jack Birle
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Sen. Dianne Feinstein‘s (D-CA) office said the senator did not realize the debate had ended when she abruptly went into a statement during a roll call vote on Defense Department spending in a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on Thursday.
Feinstein, 90, was interrupted by an aide and committee Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-WA), who implored her to say “aye” rather than explain her stance. A spokesperson for Feinstein told Fox News that she “was preoccupied” and was unaware a vote had been called.
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“The senator was preoccupied, didn’t realize debate had just ended and a vote was called. She started to give a statement, was informed it was a vote and then cast her vote,” a spokesperson for Feinstein said.
The moment on Thursday saw her repeatedly interrupted by an aide and Murray before she realized it was a vote and said, “Aye.”
The California Democrat has faced mounting questions about her health and age in recent years. She has reportedly appeared confused and denied being away from the Senate for months earlier this year despite being hospitalized in February while battling shingles and was absent from the chamber for months. Feinstein returned to the Senate in May and has been working ever since.
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During her lengthy absence earlier this year, some House Democrats called for Feinstein to resign because of her position on the influential Senate Judiciary Committee. While Feinstein was absent, several of President Joe Biden’s judicial nominees were stalled because of the narrowly divided Senate. Since returning to the Senate, the nominees have been moving forward again.
Feinstein said she would not run for another term in 2024 and would retire once her term ends in January 2025. The primary to replace Feinstein in the Golden State appears to be a fierce intraparty battle between several members of the House of Representatives.