When it came time to cast a vote, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) had to be interrupted to be prevented from giving a speech.
Senators were voting on a defense appropriations bill on Thursday, and Feinstein appeared to be confused about what she was supposed to do.
When it was the California Democrat’s turn to cast a vote, Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) was heard telling her, “Just say aye.”
Feinstein tried to give a speech as she said, “I would like to support a ‘yes’ vote on this. It provides $823 billion, that’s an increase of $26 billion for the Department of Defense. And it funds priorities submitted…”
As she spoke, an aide walked over and could be whispering to her, “Just say aye.”
Meanwhile, Murray chimed in, “Yeah, just say aye.”
Finally, Feinstein said, “Aye” and then laughed.
Watch the video below:
Asked to vote on the defense appropriations bill, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) begins giving a speech: “I would like to support a ‘yes’ vote on this. It provides …”
— The Recount (@therecount) July 27, 2023
Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA): “Just say aye.” pic.twitter.com/Gw2eZ9rEMv
The incident comes amid concerns about Feinstein’s health.
Feinstein, 89, was absent from the Senate for two and a half months and not in the nation’s capital after she was diagnosed with shingles.
Following her return to Washington, D.C., she appeared to forget she had been gone.
Salon published an article titled, “A Brief, Concerning Conversation With Dianne Feinstein,” which shared an interaction she had with reporters at the Capitol.
When Salon’s Jim Newell asked the California senator how she was feeling, she responded, “Oh, I’m feeling fine. I have a problem with the leg.”
After Newell asked what was wrong with Feinstein’s leg, she answered, “Well, nothing that’s anyone’s concern but mine.”
He then noted a “fellow reporter asked her what the response from her colleagues had been like since her return, though, the conversation took an odd turn.”
“No, I haven’t been gone,” Feinstein responded.
She insisted, “You should follow the— I haven’t been gone. I’ve been working.”
Additionally, in April 2022, the San Francisco Chronicle reported on several instances of Feinstein failing to recognize long-time colleagues.