Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts fell backward on the Senate floor Wednesday evening during a vote on resolutions to block military sales to Israel, prompting an immediate bipartisan response from colleagues who rushed to assist the 76-year-old Democrat.
The incident occurred on July 30, 2025, as Warren was captured on live C-SPAN footage attempting to lean against a desk in the Senate chamber. The desk gave way beneath her, causing her to lose her balance and tumble backward onto the floor along with the furniture.
Multiple senators from both parties immediately came to Warren’s aid, with Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas being among the first to reach her. Cruz extended his hand to help Warren get back on her feet. Warren appeared to tap Cruz’s hand, signaling that she was uninjured from the fall.
Other senators who offered assistance included Republican Susan Collins of Maine, Rand Paul of Kentucky, John Barrasso of Wyoming, and Democrat Tammy Duckworth of Illinois. After the fall, several senators gathered around the desk, examining it and appearing to test its stability by rocking it back and forth.
The fall took place during voting on two resolutions proposed by Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont to block U.S. arms sales to Israel. Warren voted in favor of both measures, joining 26 other Democrats in supporting the resolutions. However, all Republican senators voted against the proposals, causing them to fail.
Despite the mishap, Warren quickly recovered and continued participating in the Senate’s voting agenda. She subsequently cast her vote against the confirmation of Gadyaces Serralta as director of the U.S. Marshals Service, joining 38 other Democrats in opposition to the nominee who currently serves as U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Florida.
The incident generated significant attention on social media platforms, particularly among conservative commentators and influencers. Several right-wing figures mocked the fall, with some suggesting it was related to Warren’s age and calling for her retirement. Podcaster Nick Sortor referenced Warren on social media using a derogatory nickname previously employed by former President Trump, while others made comments about her age or suggested cognitive testing.
Warren’s fall occurred during late-night voting sessions as Senate Majority Leader John Thune pushed to confirm Trump administration nominees before the August recess. The accelerated pace reflects pressure from the White House for the Senate to complete confirmation votes for administration appointees.
The Massachusetts senator, who has served since January 2013 and was reelected for a third term in 2024, previously ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020. She currently serves as vice chair of the Senate Democratic caucus, a position she has held since 2017.
Warren is not the first lawmaker to experience falls in recent years. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, age 83, has had multiple slips including incidents in February 2025 and December 2024. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, 85, tripped and injured her hip during a congressional trip in December 2024, requiring surgery in Germany and later using a walker during her recovery.
The Senate continued its confirmation proceedings on Thursday, approving several Trump administration nominees including Cheryl Mason as Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Serralta for the U.S. Marshals Service position, and Tyler Clarkson as General Counsel of the Department of Agriculture.
Warren’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the incident. The senator appeared to suffer no injuries from the fall and resumed her normal Senate duties immediately following the incident, participating in additional votes scheduled for that evening.
The bipartisan assistance Warren received highlighted a rare moment of cooperation across party lines, particularly notable given the frequent political disagreements between Warren and Republican colleagues like Cruz on various policy issues. The incident occurred during one of the final days of Senate business before the chamber’s August recess.
