In a revelation that has stunned her constituents, Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX) was recently located in a memory care facility after being absent from her congressional duties for nearly six months. The 81-year-old representative from Texas’s 12th Congressional District had not cast a vote since late July, sparking growing concerns about her whereabouts and ability to serve.
For months, inquiries from local outlets like the *Dallas Express* went unanswered. Calls to Granger’s office were met with a generic voicemail promising a callback that never came. Constituents were left in the dark, frustrated by the lack of transparency from the office of a public servant who has represented them for decades.
After persistent investigation, a tip led reporters to the startling truth: Granger had been residing at a memory care and assisted living facility in Dallas. According to the *Dallas Express*, the congresswoman had been found wandering lost and confused in her former Fort Worth neighborhood, raising serious questions about her cognitive health and ability to fulfill her duties as an elected official.
When reporters visited the facility, staff confirmed Granger’s residency but refused to comment on her condition or allow questions about her stance on critical legislative issues, such as the ongoing debate over federal spending. Despite her absence, Granger’s official social media accounts continued to post generic messages, including a December 20th tweet celebrating her congressional interns. However, this post was quickly flagged by Community Notes, which added context confirming her admission to the memory care home.
The news has ignited a firestorm of criticism, with many questioning how an incapacitated lawmaker could remain in office. Granger, who previously announced she would retire at the end of this congressional session, has faced calls to resign immediately.
“This isn’t acceptable,” one commenter wrote on social media. “Representatives who miss multiple votes without a legitimate medical explanation should have their salaries and benefits frozen. This has to stop!”
Hollie Plemons, a concerned resident of Tarrant County, echoed these sentiments. “We need someone there with their full capacities. Swear in her successor early. That’s the solution,” she said. “It’s not about hurt feelings; it’s about protecting our country. She’s served her time, but it’s time for her to step down.”
Granger’s situation highlights a broader issue of accountability in Congress. Lawmakers are entrusted with representing their constituents and making critical decisions for the nation. When they are unable to perform these duties, whether due to health or other reasons, there must be a mechanism to ensure their responsibilities are promptly reassigned.
While many have expressed gratitude for Granger’s decades of service, they argue that clinging to a congressional seat while unable to serve is a disservice to the voters who elected her. With critical issues like government spending and national security on the line, Texans in the 12th District deserve active and capable representation—not an empty chair.
This episode underscores the urgent need for reform to address prolonged absences and ensure elected officials can meet the demands of their office. For now, constituents are left wondering why it took so long for this situation to come to light—and whether their voices are truly being heard in Washington.
