By ARI BLAFF
May 29, 2023 8:42 AM
Persistent health issues have left the 89-year-old Senator Dianne Feinstein (D., Calif.) dependent on a growing cadre of staff and assistants to perform everyday aspects of her job, a report in the New York Times published Sunday reveale
One unnamed witness told the Times that aides had to explain to Feinstein “the basics of how the Senate functions.” During one vote that the vice president recently presided over, the anonymous source reported that the California senator had to ask associates, “What is she doing here?” seemingly unaware of Kamala Harris’s role in legislative affairs.
On other occasions, congressional staffers overhead aides explaining to Feinstein that she could not leave while a vote was still in session.d.
Feinstein’s ongoing health issues, including a bout of shingles that began in March, have led her office to often underplay the senator’s lingering absence. In mid May, the Times first reported that Feinstein’s return to the Senate following an over two-month absence was partly due to encephalitis, a complication arising from shingles. However, the senator’s office reportedly denied the development, with Feinstein telling one CNN reporter at the time that it was merely a “bad flu.”
The situation has pushed many staffers into an uncomfortable position, caught between balancing their obligations to public service and to Feinstein herself.
“All senators rely heavily on staff to do the job, particularly a senator who represents 40 million people,” the senator’s chief of staff, James Sauls, told the outlet. “While staff advise her, she ultimately is the one who makes the decision about how to best take action for the people of California
Feinstein’s growing health concerns, which have prevented the confirmation of at least a dozen federal judicial appointments of President Joe Biden, has led a growing chorus of Democrats to demand her resignation.
It’s time for @SenFeinstein to resign,” Ro Khanna (D., Calif.) tweeted in mid April. “We need to put the country ahead of personal loyalty. While she has had a lifetime of public service, it is obvious she can no longer fulfill her duties. Not speaking out undermines our credibility as elected representatives of the people.”
Fellow House representative Jamaal Bowman (D., N.Y.) joined Khanna’s call during an interview with CNN at the time. “She’s had a very long and stellar career, you know, but missing that many votes, stopping us from moving forward with our judge.”
The calls ultimately led Feinstein to release a public statement addressing her lingering absence in April. “I understand that my absence could delay the important work of the Judiciary Committee, so I’ve asked Leader Schumer to ask the Senate to allow another Democratic senator to temporarily serve until I’m able to resume my committee work.”
However, Democratic calls have fallen on deaf ears as Republicans spy an opportunity to handicap their legislative agenda.
“Senate Republicans will not take part in sidelining a temporary absent colleague off the committee just so Democrats can force through their very worst nominees,” Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) told CNN in mid April following calls to replace Feinstein on the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Feinstein is the longest-serving female senator in American history and the oldest member in the chamber. In June, she will turn 90.
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