The oldest member of the oldest senate in U.S. history is the center of controversy following reports of compromised mental capacity.

Shannon Longworth Reporter

Feinstein behavior raises questions about Congress members’ mental fitness

May 03, 2022

Shannon Longworth Reporter

By Shannon Longworth (Reporter), Dan Reardon (Video Editor)

As the oldest senator in the oldest senate (by average age), Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) reportedly faces significant, bipartisan concerns regarding her mental health. A recent San Francisco Chronicle article included a report from one of Feinstein’s colleagues–another Democratic lawmaker from California. That official recounted a meeting during which “they had to reintroduce themselves to Feinstein multiple times.”

Feinstein, nearing her 89th birthday, released a statement saying although she’s spent the last year grieving her husband, “there’s no question I’m still serving and delivering for the people of California, and I’ll put my record up against anyone’s.”

SHANNON LONGWORTH: RICHARD SHELBY: 87.

JIM INHOFE: 87.

CHUCK GRASSLEY: 88.

DIANNE FEINSTEIN: 88.

I’LL SAY IT: THESE SENATORS ARE OLD.

IN FACT, OUR CURRENT SENATE IS THE OLDEST EVER.

SO, SHOULD OUR REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS TAKE MENTAL FITNESS EXAMS?

IT MAKES SENSE, CONSIDERING THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE REPORT OF A CONGRESS MEMBER’S MEETING WITH FEINSTEIN EARLIER THIS YEAR.

ACCORDING TO THAT LAWMAKER, A FELLOW DEMOCRAT FROM CALIFORNIA, “THEY HAD TO REINTRODUCE THEMSELVES TO FEINSTEIN MULTIPLE TIMES DURING AN INTERACTION THAT LASTED SEVERAL HOURS.”

THIS IS THE CHRONICLE REPORTER WHO BROKE THE STORY…

TAL KOPAN: “IN ADDITION TO THE PAIN AND THE SADNESS BECAUSE ALL THESE PEOPLE DEEPLY RESPECT SENATOR FEINSTEIN AND REVERE HER. I MEAN, THESE ARE NOT PEOPLE WHO TAKE WHAT THEY WERE TELLING ME LIGHTLY. I MEAN, THESE WERE PAINFUL CONVERSATIONS FOR THEM TO HAVE.”

LONGWORTH: FEINSTEIN’S OFFICE RELEASED A STATEMENT, SAYING SHE’S BEEN GRIEVING HER HUSBAND’S DEATH THIS YEAR, BUT THAT SHE HAS “REMAINED COMMITTED TO ACHIEVING RESULTS” AND WOULD PUT HER RECORD UP AGAINST ANYONE’S.

FOR FEINSTEIN TO RESPONSIBLY REACH THE END OF HER TERM IN 2024, SHE’LL NEED HER MEMORY AND MOTOR SKILLS.

NOT UNLIKE DRIVING.

STATES WON’T REVOKE A DRIVER’S LICENSE DUE TO OLD AGE, BUT MORE THAN HALF OF THEM *WILL* STOP SENIORS FROM RENEWING THEIR LICENSES IF THEY DON’T PASS A PHYSICAL EXAM OR SHOW UP IN-PERSON TO DO SO.

LET’S SAY WE APPLY THAT FRAMEWORK TO ELECTED OFFICIALS BY REQUIRING THEM TO TAKE AN EXAM BEFORE THEY ENTER OFFICE.

OR GO ONE STEP FURTHER WITH AN ANNUAL EXAM, SINCE THEY STILL FALL VICTIM TO ALZHEIMER’S, FOR INSTANCE, DURING THEIR TERMS.

WHAT WOULD THAT HURT, ASIDE FROM THEIR PRIDE?

IT SURE WOULD CLEAR UP CONFUSION ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

“WHY DO YOU SUPPOSE SUCH LARGE SEGMENTS OF THE AMERICAN ELECTORATE HAVE COME TO HARBOR SUCH PROFOUND CONCERNS ABOUT YOUR COGNITIVE FITNESS?”

BIDEN: “I HAVE NO IDEA.”

DONALD TRUMP: “I ASKED THE DOCTOR, I SAID ‘IS THERE SOME KIND OF A COGNITIVE TEST THAT I COULD TAKE BECAUSE I’VE BEEN HEARING ABOUT IT. BECAUSE I WANT TO SHUT THESE PEOPLE UP. THEY’RE FAKE NEWS. THEY MAKE UP STORIES.”

LONGWORTH: LOOK, SCIENTISTS SAY COGNITIVE DECLINE BEGINS AT 45 YEARS OLD.

THE AVERAGE AGE IN THE HOUSE IS 58. IN THE SENATE, IT’S 64.

SO, WHAT DO YOU THINK? SHOULD THOSE AT THE WHEEL GET A CHECK-UP WHILE STEERING A COUNTRY WITH MORE THAN 300 MILLION PEOPLE? LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW.