A senior Republican representative from Texas faces scrutiny over her prolonged absence from congressional duties.
According to Fox News, Rep. Kay Granger, who hasn't cast a vote since July 24, is currently residing in a retirement facility, though her office denies reports that she is in a memory care unit.
The 81-year-old congresswoman has missed over 54% of votes this year, marking a significant gap in her legislative responsibilities.
A source from her office clarified that while Granger is staying in a retirement facility that provides memory care services, she is not in the memory care unit itself, contradicting an earlier report by the Dallas Express.
Granger addressed the situation through a statement acknowledging her recent health struggles. She explained that since early September, these challenges have made frequent travel to Washington both difficult and unpredictable. Despite her physical absence, Granger emphasized that her staff continues to provide constituent services, maintaining the level of support they have delivered throughout her 27-year tenure.
The congresswoman, who has represented her district since 1997, made a brief appearance at the Capitol in November for her portrait unveiling as Appropriations Committee Chairwoman. Both House Speaker Johnson and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise attended the ceremony, showing support for their longtime colleague.
A senior Republican insider explained the reasoning behind Granger's decision to stay in office even though she had been absent. The source emphasized that maintaining her position was crucial to ensure the party had the necessary votes.
Democratic Representative Ro Khanna of California has voiced strong criticism of Granger's prolonged absence. He specifically targeted what he perceived as systemic issues within Congress, connecting Granger's situation to broader concerns about congressional leadership and age-related matters in government service.
Granger addressed these concerns in her statement to Fox News, saying:
As many of my family, friends, and colleagues have known, I have been navigating some unforeseen health challenges over the past year. 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.
The situation highlights the challenges faced by the Republican Party in maintaining its slim House majority, where every vote carries significant weight in determining legislative outcomes.
Representative Kay Granger, a prominent Texas Republican and former Fort Worth mayor, continues to serve in Congress while residing in a retirement facility.
Her extended absence since July 2024 has sparked discussions about congressional attendance and effectiveness, particularly given the GOP's narrow majority in the House.
While Granger has announced her retirement at the end of this congressional term, her current situation presents immediate challenges for Republican leadership in managing crucial votes and maintaining party unity in legislative matters.
