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Sen. Dianne Feinstein hospitalized after fall

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., speaks during a confirmation hearing Wednesday, July 12, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib, File)

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) was hospitalized Tuesday after tripping and falling at her San Francisco home, a spokesperson confirms.

“Sen. Feinstein briefly went to the hospital yesterday afternoon as a precaution after a minor fall in her home. All of her scans were clear and she returned home,” a spokesperson told The Hill.  

Feinstein, 90, recently had what appeared to be a moment of confusion during the Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on July 27. She began delivering a speech instead of voting and was eventually told to just “say aye” by Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), the committee’s chair.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., speaks during a confirmation hearing Wednesday, July 12, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib, File)

The San Francisco hospital visit comes after Feinstein missed months of work in Washington earlier this year when she was hospitalized for the shingles virus and its side effects. Since her return to work in May, she has traveled the Capitol halls in a wheelchair and has often appeared confused and disoriented.

Feinstein has defended her ability to perform her job, though her office said in May that she was still experiencing vision and balance impairments from the shingles virus.

Feinstein, who took office in 1992, announced earlier this year that she would not seek reelection in 2024. Several Democrats have already entered the race to replace her.

Feinstein’s office criticized TMZ, which was the first media outlet to post about the fall.

“Original TMZ report was inaccurate. She is not currently in the hospital,” the spokesperson said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.