Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein, 89, hospitalized for SHINGLES in California – weeks after causing confusion over her retirement announcement
- Feinstein’s staff announced last month that she would not run again
- She missed a few votes in the Senate this week but is expected to make a full recovery
- “I hope to return to the Senate later this month,” the California senator said
Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein of California has been hospitalized in recent days with shingles and is currently being treated in her hometown of San Francisco, her office said Thursday.
Feinstein missed a key vote on Wednesday when the Senate voted 50 to 46 to block a Biden administration rule allowing pension fund managers to consider environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors in investments. investment decisions. She also missed two Senate Judiciary Committee hearings.
“I was diagnosed during the February holidays with a case of shingles. I was hospitalized and receiving treatment in San Francisco and am expecting a full recovery. I hope to return to the Senate later this month,” she said through her spokesperson, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
News of Feinstein’s hospitalization comes weeks after it was announced that she would be ending his long and consequential political career.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-California) was hospitalized with shingles, her office said
There was some initial confusion when Feinstein told reporters she was unaware her staff had sent a statement making the announcement.
She had taken a step back from her critical role as chair of the Judiciary Committee following several reports that she had trouble remembering details about personnel and legislation.
Some Democrats have also complained about his handling of current Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation hearing.
Shingles is a virus that can lead to powerful rashes and scabs. This usually happens when the long-dormant virus that causes chickenpox reappears years later. It is not considered life threatening.
She was first elected in 1992 and is now the oldest serving senator.
She was absent for Wednesday night’s vote, as was newly elected Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman, who has been hospitalized with mental health issues, according to his staff.
Their absence highlighted the fragility of the Democrats’ narrow 51-49 Senate majority (which includes three independents who caucus with the party).
Although she relinquished her chair on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Democrats hold just an 11-10 majority on that panel, where the minority has the ability to slow nominations when members are evenly split.
