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A confused Dianne Feinstein tried to give a speech in the middle of a Senate hearing vote and was told to 'just say aye' instead (www.businessinsider.com)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Senator Dianne Feinstein appeared confused during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on Thursday. When asked to vote on a proposal, Feinstein began giving a lengthy speech instead of simply saying "aye" or "nay" as requested. The committee chair, Senator Patty Murray, had to repeatedly tell Feinstein "just say aye" and remind her that it was time for a vote, not speeches. After some delay, Feinstein finally cast her vote. A spokesperson said Feinstein was preoccupied and did not realize a vote had been called. The incident raises further concerns about Feinstein's ability to serve at age 90, as she has made other recent mistakes and often relies on aides.

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[–] [email protected] 32 points 1 year ago (14 children)

What happens when that person is in mid- to late-stage dementia and can no longer even make decisions for herself? How can she step down from office given she very obviously struggles to recognize she's in office? How can she be removed from office involuntarily? Ordinary people in her situation would have a guardian by now

[–] [email protected] 36 points 1 year ago (3 children)

She has a caretaker who is acting as a guardian, but that care taker is Nancy Pelosi's niece, and Pelosi want's Feinstein to finish her term, so the seat can go to Adam Shiff, and not be filled by Governor Newsom, who has said he would appoint a Black woman to the seat, likely a progressive. Maxine Waters or Barbara Lee.

As a counterpoint, Feinstein is on the Judiciary committee, and if she were to retire mid-term, Democrats would lose that seat until the next election. So Republicans could then halt any judicial appointments.

As a counter counterpoint, Feinstein hasn't been showing up to that committee, so it's already happening.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Great info, thank you. Regarding your first point, I don't think Schiff has a chance at that seat, but I guess we'll see

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I can easily see the DNC having Newsom put Shiff in the seat if Feinstein dies (she's not going out any other way). Then Shiff would be the incumbent and the DNC and Dem voters usually go for the incumbent. Otherwise, they'll end up with Porter. She makes waves and the boys at the top, they don't like waves.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Newsom has already said that he wouldn't appoint Shiff, he quite clearly said a black woman. And his best options there are progressive women, like Waters or Lee.

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