The health problems that Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) is facing are worse than previously known, a report published Thursday revealed.
Feinstein, 89, is suffering from vision and balance impairments as well as a form of facial paralysis known as Ramsay Hunt syndrome because her shingles spread to her face and neck, sources disclosed to The New York Times. These sources also said the senator developed encephalitis, which causes swelling of the brain that can lead to complications such as memory loss, language problems, confusion, and mood disorders.
When pressed on her condition, Feinstein contended that it “really has never been diagnosed,” according to CNN’s Manu Raju. “It was a really bad flu,” she also reportedly said. “I’m doing better, thank you.”
The reporter later announced that the senator’s office confirmed Feinstein has Ramsay Hunt syndrome and encephalitis.
“The senator previously disclosed that she had several complications related to her shingles diagnosis. As discussed in the New York Times article, those complications included Ramsay Hunt syndrome and encephalitis,” a Feinstein spokesperson said. “While the encephalitis resolved itself shortly after she was released from the hospital in March, she continues to have complications from Ramsey Hunt syndrome.”
Feinstein announced in early March that she had been diagnosed with shingles and spent months recovering. The senator returned to Capitol Hill last week in a wheelchair and said her doctors recommended that she work a “lighter schedule” as she continues to recover.
Feinstein is the Senate’s oldest member — and in recent years, some colleagues had already begun to raise concerns about her mental fitness and ability to do the job she has had for decades.
A member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Feinstein left the panel unable to approve some of President Joe Biden’s judicial nominees over GOP opposition without her vote during her absence. A growing number of Democrats, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), called for Feinstein to resign.
CNN’s Raju reported on Thursday that Judiciary Chairman Dick Durbin (D-IL) said he had been unaware that Feinstein had contracted encephalitis. “You can tell that her right eye is affected by it. My mother went through something similar. It’s really a painful experience,” Durbin added.
People close to Feinstein described seeing Feinstein continue to serve in the Senate in her current state as “frightening,” The New York Times report noted. The story followed Feinstein apparently failing to recall that she had been absent from Capitol Hill for several weeks when a reporter asked about her return.
"How have they felt about you returning?"
FEINSTEIN: "No, I haven't been gone. You should follow the— I haven't been gone. I've been working."
"Working from home is what you're saying?"
FEINSTEIN: "No, I've been here. I've been voting." pic.twitter.com/kGqH3wjZkA
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) May 18, 2023
Feinstein announced in February she would not seek re-election in 2024. Three prominent House Democrats — Reps. Adam Schiff, Katie Porter, and Barbara Lee — have announced campaigns to replace Feinstein in the Senate.
Earlier in the day on Thursday, POLITICO reported Nancy Corinne Prowda, eldest child of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), escorting Feinstein around the Capitol last, raising some suspicion that it could be part of an effort to benefit Schiff, whom Pelosi has endorsed. A Pelosi spokesperson rejected the notion, telling Fox News that Corinne and Feinstein “have been friends for decades” and that Corinne has been supporting the senator in her recovery from the shingles.