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Longtime Texas Congresswoman Kay Granger, 81, has been found residing in a memory care facility after being absent from the Capitol for six months, according to reports.
Rep. Granger, a Republican who has served Texas’ 12th Congressional District since 1997, has not cast a vote in Washington, D.C., since July, despite the GOP’s razor-thin majority in the House. Her prolonged absence caused concern among her constituents in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Although Granger did not seek re-election in November, her disappearance has garnered significant attention due to ongoing critical votes in Congress, including a government spending bill.
Discovery in Memory Care Facility
After months of unanswered calls to her office and reports of an empty constituency office, The Dallas Express reported that Granger had been located in a memory care facility. She was reportedly admitted after being found wandering confused in her neighborhood.
Journalists who attempted to speak with Granger at the facility were not allowed to do so. However, staff at the facility confirmed her residency.
“This is her home,” Taylor Manziel, the assistant executive director of the facility, told the outlet.
Local Leaders Express Concern
The news has sparked criticism from local officials and residents. Tarrant County Republican Chairman Bo French expressed frustration over her inability to represent her district during critical congressional votes.
“At a time when extraordinarily important votes are happening, including debt ceiling, disaster relief, farm bills, and border issues, Kay Granger is nowhere to be found. The margin in Congress is razor thin, and the lack of a Republican vote representing CD-12 disenfranchises 2 million people. We deserve better,” French said.
State Republican Executive Committeeman Rolando Garcia was critical of the circumstances surrounding Granger’s absence, calling it a “sad and humiliating” conclusion to her 30-year political career.
“The fact that Kay Granger is unable to leave her nursing home to participate in the most important congressional vote of the year suggests she was already in visible decline when she ran for re-election in 2022,” Garcia wrote on X.
“A sad commentary on the congressional gerontocracy,” he added.
Calls for Early Transition of Representation
Several constituents have called for Congressman-elect Craig Goldman, who won Granger’s seat in the November election, to take over immediately.
“We need someone there with their full capacities. Swear Craig in early. That’s the solution. That’s the right thing to do,” said Tarrant County resident Hollie Plemons.
Granger and her staff will remain on taxpayers’ payroll until her term officially ends on January 3.
