Washington Democrats are currently struggling to keep
the declining mental health of Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) a secret.
Recently, Feinstein reportedly struggled recalling names of her colleagues as well as meetings and conversations.
Although it has been widely accepted among Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill that Feinstein is suffering from “acute short-term memory issues,” both are trying to keep it private.
According to several lawmakers and aides who spoke about the situation anonymously, the 88-year old Democrat senator “sometimes struggles to recall the names of colleagues, frequently has little recollection of meetings or telephone conversations.”
Feinstein also reportedly suffers confusion or failure to understand, including the times when she was questioned “about whether she is fit to serve in the Senate representing the 40 million residents of California.”
Moreover, another Democrat lawmaker also spoke with Time and revealed that the lawmaker’s close encounters with Feinstein was “akin to acting as a caregiver for a person in need of constant assistance” and “recalled having to reintroduce themself to the senator multiple times, helping her locate her purse repeatedly, and answering the same set of basic, small-talk questions over and over again.”
Furthermore, Feinstein former staffers and Democrat colleagues also believed that her declining health might mean it is time for her to resign in the near future and added that she can no longer perform her duties without her staff doing much of the work.
““It’s bad, and it’s getting worse,” said one Democratic senator.
According to the senator Feinstein has difficulty keeping up with conversations and discussions.
“During the March confirmation hearing for soon-to-be-Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Feinstein appeared composed as she read pertinent questions, though she repeated comments to Jackson about the judge’s composure in the face of tough questioning. But some close to her said that on her most difficult days, she does not seem to fully recognize even longtime colleagues.” The Chronicle noted.
