Sen. Dianne Feinstein hospitalized after fall at home

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), was hospitalized on Tuesday evening and then released and sent home after a fall in her home according to her spokesperson Adam Russell.

Speaking with the San Francisco Chronicle, Russell told the paper the ninety-year-old Feinstein went to the hospital as a precaution and was there for an hour or two. Her scans were clear and she has returned home.

The oldest serving member of the Senate, first elected to the Senate in 1992, has suffered from major health issues for several years. She revealed on March 2 of this year that she was hospitalized for shingles treatment after being diagnosed with an infection in February. She was released from a San Francisco hospital on March 7. The shingles led to complications, including Ramsay Hunt syndrome that caused side effects like vision and balance impairment, her office said.

The Chronicle noted Feinstein had been scheduled to attend an anniversary event for the San Francisco cable cars Aug. 2, but missed the event due to a cough.

In addition to the illnesses, questions about Feinstein’s mental fitness have followed her for more than two years, and even her Democratic colleagues told The Chronicle in April 2022 that they believe her memory issues were hindering her ability to do the job. Feinstein defended her abil- ities amid each new wave of concern.

Feinstein had announced on Valentine’s Day that she would not seek reelection:

“I am announcing today I will not run for reelection in 2024 but intend to accomplish as much for California as I can through the end of next year when my term ends. Even with a divided Congress, we can still pass bills that will improve lives.

Each of us was sent here to solve problems. That’s what I’ve done for the last 30 years, and that’s what I plan to do for the next two years. My thanks to the people of California for allowing me to serve them.”