A Republican congresswoman who had been missing for several months was recently found living in a retirement home, with some reports claiming that it was a facility that specializes in memory care.
According to Fox News, Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-Texas) had been noticeably absent from Washington D.C. for the last several months, with her last vote being cast on July 24th. She missed at least 54% of votes that occurred in 2024.
Her apparent disappearance led to local outlets carrying out their own investigations, with the Dallas Express claiming on Friday that a constituent of her district, Texas’ 12th district, had seen the 81-year-old congresswoman living in a memory care facility. Granger’s office then claimed on Sunday that she was not in the memory care unit of the facility in question, but instead was living in the regular section.
A statement was released that was allegedly written by Granger herself, claiming that she has been suffering from “health challenges,” and is “deeply grateful for the outpouring of care and concern” in recent weeks.
“As many of my family, friends, and colleagues have known, I have been navigating some unforeseen health challenges over the past year,” the statement read. “However, since early September, my health challenges have progressed making frequent travel to Washington both difficult and unpredictable. During this time, my incredible staff has remained steadfast, continuing to deliver exceptional constituent services, as they have for the past 27 years.”
Despite missing numerous votes since late July, Granger did return to the Capitol once in November, to attend the unveiling of her official portrait as Chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee.
Granger, who was first elected in 1996, did not seek re-election in 2024, and will be formally retiring in January. She will be succeeded in the next Congress by State Representative Craig Goldman (R-Texas).