An elderly Texas lawmaker who was missing from the Capitol for six months has been found at a memory care nursing home, according to reports.
Kay Granger, 81, a longtime Republican congresswoman, hasn't voted in Washington, D.C., since July, even though Republicans have a slim majority in the chamber.
Her prolonged absence raised concerns among voters in Texas' 12th Congressional District, located in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area.
Ms. Granger did not run for re-election in November, but her decision comes as Republicans hold a slim majority in the House and a slew of votes, including on government spending bills, come as her term nears its end. Her disappearance is particularly significant considering that
One reporter said after calls to Granger's office went to voicemail and her district office was found to be unmanned. dallas express She was found lost and disoriented while wandering around the neighborhood and received information that she was staying at a memory care facility.
Dallas Express reporters who visited the facility to confirm Mr. Granger's residency and ask about his plans to vote on the spending bill were not allowed to speak with him, the paper said.
However, employees confirmed that Granger lives on the premises, the Express reported.
“This is her home,” Taylor Manziel, deputy executive director of the senior living facility, told the publication.
Local officials expressed disappointment at the revelation that Mr. Granger had been away from Washington after representing the district since 1997.
Beau French, a Tarrant County Republican chainman, said the lack of representation during the critical voting period in Congress is “troubling to say the least.”
“At a time when very important votes are being taken on the debt ceiling, disaster relief, farm bill, border issues, Kay Granger is nowhere to be seen. The margins in Congress are razor-thin, and CD-12 2 million people are disenfranchised by the lack of a representative Republican vote. We deserve better,” French said.
Rolando Garcia, executive director of the state Republican Party, said it was a “sad and humiliating way” for Granger to end a 30-year career in politics, including as mayor of Fort Worth.
“The fact that Kay Granger will not be able to leave her nursing home to take part in this year's most important parliamentary vote suggests that she was already in clear decline by the time she ran for re-election in 2022. ” Garcia wrote to X.
“It's a sad and humiliating way to end her political career. It's sad that no one was interested enough in 'picking up the keys' until she got to this moment.” And there is also a sad commentary on the elder politics of Congress,” he added.
Granger's voters also expressed concerns about lack of representation and suggested Congressman-elect Craig Goldman, who won the seat in November, should take over early.
“We need people who can perform to the best of their abilities. Let's pledge early to Craig. That's the solution. That's the right thing to do. She just missed out on a big vote. , although one vote did not determine the outcome, we still We have to protect our country, and it's not about hurt feelings. She's a public servant and we appreciate her service, but now she needs to resign.” resident Holly Plemmons told the Express.
Mr. Granger and his staff will remain on the taxpayer's payroll until January 3.
