89-year-old Feinstein returned to the Senate this week after missing months while recuperating from the shingles virus, a severe health risk that came after years of concerns about her mental capacity.
The confirmation of President Biden’s judicial nominees and other government business were not hampered by her absence from Washington, but it did give Democrats cause for concern since they feared that the narrow margins of their majority may make their task challenging or impossible.
She highlighted a discomfort with her leg during a brief conversation with reporters after casting her ballot, but overall claimed to feel better. When she returned to the Senate last week, another reporter then inquired about the congratulations she had received from them.
“What have I heard about what?” she asked.
“About your return,” the reporter replied.
“I haven’t been gone,” she said. “You should … I haven’t been gone. I’ve been working.”