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Dianne Feinstein says 'I haven’t been gone' after nearly three-month absence

"No, I've been here. I've been voting," she said.

Published: May 17, 2023 7:55am

Updated: May 17, 2023 11:21am

California Democrat Sen. Dianne Feinstein told reporters that she has not been gone but has been working following her return from a nearly three-month absence while she recovered from shingles.

Feinstein, 89, finished voting Tuesday afternoon when she ran into reporters staking out an elevator on Capitol Hill, according to The Los Angeles Times and Slate. One journalist asked Feinstein about the well wishes from her Senate colleagues since she returned to the job last week. 

"What have I heard about what?" Feinstein asked. 

"About your return," the reporter responded. 

"I haven't been gone," the senator said. "You should follow the—I haven't been gone. I've been working."

"You've been working from home is what you're saying?" the reporter followed up.

"No, I've been here. I've been voting," she said. "Please. You either know or don't know."

Feinstein, the oldest sitting U.S. senator, has been in Congress since 1992. Feinstein has faced reports of cognitive decline for the past several years. Fellow Democrats had called on Feinstein to resign during her recent absence. 

Madeleine Hubbard is an international correspondent for Just the News. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram.

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