WATCH: Dianne Feinstein dresses down GOP Sen. Ted Cruz
"I'm not a sixth grader"

Things got testy today when Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) snapped "I'm not a sixth grader" at Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) after he began quoting the Bill of Rights to her during a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting on a proposed assault weapons ban. (The ban made it through the committee thanks to a 10-8 vote along party lines, but faces a much tougher path in the full Senate.)
After Cruz talked at some length about the right to bear arms, and pointedly questioned the California Democrat about the constitutionality of the proposed ban, a visibly annoyed Feinstein said:
I'm not a sixth grader. Senator, I've been on this committee for 20 years. I was a mayor for nine years. I walked in, I saw people shot. I've looked at bodies that have been shot with these weapons. I've seen the bullets that implode. In Sandy Hook, youngsters were dismembered. Look, there are other weapons. I'm not a lawyer, but after 20 years I've been up close and personal to the Constitution. I have great respect for it.
Indeed, Feinstein became mayor of San Francisco after the murder of the previous mayor, George Moscone, in 1978. Feinstein was also the one who discovered the dead body of San Francisco supervisor Harvey Milk.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
After the vote, Feinstein gave Cruz an old-timey apology by saying that he got her "dander up." According to Mediaite, MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell defended Feinstein by saying, "Ted Cruz somehow thought he was going to take on Dianne Feinstein who began her career in politics facing the bloodshed in San Francisco when she was elevated to become the mayor after the assassinations there?"
Conservative bloggers had a different take. Daniel Horowitz of Red State framed it as Cruz using such unassailable logic so that Feinstein "had no answer, except to act like a pugnacious school child."
Judge for yourself:
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Keith Wagstaff is a staff writer at TheWeek.com covering politics and current events. He has previously written for such publications as TIME, Details, VICE, and the Village Voice.
-
The bougie foods causing international shortages
In the Spotlight Pistachios join avocados and matcha on list of social media-driven crazes that put strain on supply chains and environment
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK
-
Strep infections are rising in the US
Under the radar The cases have more than doubled in 10 years
By Devika Rao, The Week US
-
Crossword: April 22, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
By The Week Staff
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: who are the billionaires backing?
The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK