Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 90, has ceded power of attorney to her daughter but has opted to stay in the Senate.
The California Democrat has faced increasing calls to resign over her age and health, including from many within her party. Nevertheless, the oldest-sitting and longest-serving female senator has steadfastly refused to resign. On Thursday, the New York Times reported that Feinstein ceded power of attorney to her daughter yet retains her desire to stay in the Senate.
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Giving someone power of attorney is generally done when someone is experiencing a decline in health to the extent that they can’t properly function. Feinstein transferring it to her daughter indicates that her cognitive functions have further declined and will likely lead to further calls for her to resign.
Feinstein ceded power of attorney to her daughter partly to help deal with a legal dispute over the assets of her late husband.
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The California Democrat has faced scrutiny over her health and cognitive ability for several years now, and the scrutiny intensified this year when she was absent from the Senate for several months as she underwent treatment for shingles. She has needed a group of aides to function properly in the Senate while she deals with complications resulting from encephalitis and memory loss, as well as the shingles.
A June poll found that nearly two-thirds of California voters believe Feinstein should resign.