(DailyChive.com) – Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX), 81, has not been seen in Washington for months, raising concerns about her ability to represent Texas’s 12th Congressional District. Reports now confirm that she resides in a memory care facility in Texas, leaving her constituents without representation in Congress.
The Dallas Express revealed that Granger last voted on July 24 and has been absent since. Following tips from constituents, reporters discovered she lives in an assisted living center costing $4,000 per month. Staff at the facility confirmed her residency but declined to comment on her condition or her ability to participate in critical legislative decisions, as described in a report about her absence.
Local Republicans are frustrated with her prolonged absence. Bo French, Tarrant County’s Republican chairman, said her lack of participation on important issues—such as the debt ceiling, disaster relief, and border security—is “disenfranchising 2 million people.” The thin Republican majority in Congress makes every vote crucial, and Granger’s absence has left a noticeable gap. Her prolonged inability to serve has led to calls for leadership intervention, as highlighted in recent discussions.
Adding to the controversy, the public and her district were not informed about her health issues or why she could no longer serve effectively. Many are questioning whether Republican leadership knew about her condition before now, and if so, why they allowed the situation to continue. Critics point out that concerns about her health had likely existed for some time, even during her most recent campaign.
Rolando Garcia, a member of the Texas Republican Executive Committee, called it a “sad and humiliating” end to Granger’s 30-year political career. He suggested she was already in decline when she ran for reelection in 2022. Others, like Tarrant County resident Hollie Plemons, are calling for Granger to resign immediately so her successor, Craig Goldman, can take over.
Critics on social media have also weighed in. Conservative activist Riley Gaines questioned how Granger’s six-month absence went unnoticed, calling for term limits. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) added that dementia in Congress isn’t limited to those who stop voting, hinting at broader issues within Washington’s aging leadership.
Granger acknowledged her health challenges in a statement, thanking her staff and constituents for their support. She confirmed that her health worsened over the past year, making regular travel to Washington impossible. She also expressed gratitude for her years of public service.
As the situation unfolds, the focus remains on whether leadership will take action to ensure the district is represented in Congress.
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