Texas Rep. Kay Granger, 81, has been absent from Congress since July and it turns out, her team was hiding the truth about her health from the public.
The New York Post reported that this absence stems from reports that Granger is residing in a retirement community specializing in memory care, raising alarms about her capacity to serve amid critical House votes and her announced decision not to seek re-election.
Granger has served as a longtime member of Congress, representing Texas's 12th congressional district. Over the past several months, her lack of participation in key votes in Washington, D.C., has sparked concern.
A recent report by the Dallas Express revealed that she has moved to a retirement community after being found wandering her neighborhood, potentially due to a decline in cognitive health.
Her absence is a significant issue given the current configuration of Congress, where Republican control is narrow.
This situation has left her constituents without full representation during important legislative discussions on matters such as the debt ceiling, disaster relief, and other pressing national issues. Granger's decision not to pursue reelection has further underscored the urgency of addressing her situation within the GOP ranks.
According to her son, Brandon Granger, though the community where she resides offers memory care facilities, his mother is staying in an independent living condo.
However, he acknowledged that symptoms of dementia emerged in the last three months. Despite these developments, Granger attended a portrait unveiling event last month, with several notable Republican figures present.
The news of her living situation has led to calls from some constituents for her successor, Congressman-elect Craig Goldman, to take office ahead of schedule.
They argue that Granger’s inability to vote on critical legislation disenfranchises those she represents. A constituent, Hollie Plemons, expressed that an early swearing-in for Goldman is the right course of action, insisting that Granger's time in office should come to an end as a result of her health challenges.
Granger’s spokesperson addressed the concerns, conveying her gratitude for the support and understanding from family, friends, and colleagues. The spokesperson highlighted that her health had deteriorated unpredictably over the past year, complicating the possibility of her regular travel to Washington.
Despite stepping down from her role as chair of the House Appropriations Committee in March, Granger reportedly kept top Republican leadership informed of her conditions.
She expressed willingness to return to align with critical Republican votes when necessary. However, this arrangement has drawn criticism from some political observers and constituents, seeking more consistent representation.
Bo French, a political commentator, emphasized that Granger's absence during pivotal votes poses a risk given the delicate balance of power in the House. He contended that the district's voters deserve active representation in Congress. Similarly, Rolando Garcia publicly indicated that Granger's current state suggests her decline was apparent during her reelection campaign in 2022.
Granger's personal and political circumstances underscore the broader discourse on the intersection of age, cognitive health, and public service. Her situation draws attention to the need for contingency plans when representatives can no longer fulfill their duties effectively.
Given the potential impact of her absence on legislative outcomes, the debate over her position reflects a critical aspect of governance—the ability to ensure continuous representation.
Granger's tenure, once marked by her leadership and influence, now stands as a somber reminder of the complex issues facing aging politicians in demanding roles. As she and her staff remain on the payroll until January 3, her district and available leadership will need to consider the next best steps in aligning with the needs of the 12th district constituents.
