Feinstein defends herself amid new questions about her capabilities in Senate job

The San Francisco Chronicle reported that four senators — including three Democrats — and one Democratic House member said that Feinstein’s memory was rapidly deteriorating and that it appeared she could no longer fulfill her job duties without her staff. Three former Feinstein staffers made similar claims. After the Chronicle posted the story, Feinstein, 88, said in a statement that “the real question is whether I’m still an effective representative for 40 million Californians, and the record shows that I am.”
Feinstein is almost always trailed by staffers while walking around the Capitol, and staffers frequently interject on her behalf when the senator gets questions from reporters.

When asked recently about the troubled nomination of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti to be ambassador to India, she declined to comment, saying she wasn’t up to speed on the details.