Opinion | The author's opinion does not necessarily reflect Sarah Palin's view.
At 90 years old, Dianne Feinstein of California is the oldest serving member of the Senate. She has been in politics for over 60 years.
During a recent roll call, Feinstein appeared to be frozen and confused. A colleague, Senator Patty Murray of Washington, is overheard on a hot microphone telling Feinstein, “Just say, ‘Aye.'”
“Pardon me,” Feinstein responded.
“Aye,” Murray said again.
Still confused, Feinstein launched into a speech in favor of a bill, rather than responding to the roll call. Feinstein was cut off by a staff member who appeared to inform the senator that the committee was still calling roll.
90 year-old Dianne Feinstein is told “just say aye” at vote
AGE LIMITS NOW
pic.twitter.com/steTTpZoPP— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) July 27, 2023
“I would like to support a ‘yes’ vote on this,” Feinstein said. “It provides $823 billion — that’s an increase of $26 billion for the Department of Defense, and it funds priorities submitted—”
“Just say, ‘Aye,'” Murray told Feinstein for a third time.
“Okay, just… Aye,” Feinstein finally stated.
A spokesperson defended Feinstein by explaining the meeting was “chaotic” for her.
An aide to Sen. Feinstein tells her to “just say aye” in regards to a floor vote.
Someone needs to do something. THIS is elder abuse. THIS is not acceptable.
— Ryan Fournier (@RyanAFournier) July 27, 2023
“Trying to complete all of the appropriations bills before recess, the committee markup this morning was a little chaotic, constantly switching back and forth between statements, votes, and debate and the order of bills. The senator was preoccupied, didn’t realize debate had just ended and a vote was called. She started to give a statement, was informed it was a vote and then cast her vote.”
Feinstein first served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors from 1969 to 1978, and then as mayor of San Francisco from 1978 to 1988. She was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1992, and has been serving in that position ever since.
As the longest-serving U.S. senator and the longest-tenured female senator in history, Feinstein announced she would not seek reelection in 2024.
Feinstein was the first woman to chair the Senate Intelligence Committee and she has been a vocal advocate of increased gun control among other left-wing positions.
In 2022, Feinstein was diagnosed with shingles, a viral infection that can cause a painful rash and other complications. Feinstein’s shingles infection led to encephalitis, a swelling of the brain, and Ramsay Hunt syndrome, a condition that can cause paralysis on one side of the face.
Feinstein was hospitalized for several weeks and missed several months of work in the Senate. She returned to the Senate in May 2023, but her health problems have continued to raise questions about her ability to serve. In recent months, Feinstein has been seen struggling to walk, and she has missed several votes.
Many Americans have argued for term limits for members of Congress which would be a legal restriction on the number of terms a person may serve in a particular elected office.
When term limits are found in presidential and semi-presidential systems, they act as a method of curbing the potential for monopoly, where a leader effectively becomes “president for life”.
Legislative proposals for congressional term limits date to 1789. Supporters generally argue that requiring frequent turnover among Members of Congress would make the House and Senate more responsive to, and representative of, their American constituents.
