Missing GOP Congresswoman Kay Granger Found in Memory Care Facility, Sparking Concerns Over Aging Leadership
(Francis Chung/POLITICO)
Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX), who had been “missing” from public view for several months, was reportedly located in a memory care and assisted living facility, according to The Dallas Express staff writer Carlos Turcios. The revelation has sparked widespread concern about transparency and the challenges posed by aging lawmakers.
Turcios reported that Granger, who last cast a vote on July 24, 2024, has not been present in Congress since. Attempts to reach her Texas and Washington, D.C., offices were met with voicemail recordings, and no calls were returned. Granger, who is retiring at the end of this congressional session, appears to have effectively closed her office without notifying the public.
Further investigation revealed that Granger has been living at a memory care facility. Turcios wrote, “One of Granger’s constituents claimed that she ‘has been residing at a local memory care and assisted living home for some time after having been found wandering lost and confused in her former Cultural District/West 7th neighborhood.’”
To confirm the report, The Dallas Express visited the facility, where employees verified Granger’s residence. The discovery has raised questions about her ability to fulfill her duties as a lawmaker and why her condition was not disclosed earlier.
The story of 81-yr-old US Rep. Kay Granger reportedly living in a dementia facility while missing votes highlights need for better reporting on the aging of America's leaders. US lawmakers older than 70 now outnumber those under age 40 by more than 3-to-1. www.pbs.org/newshour/pol…
— Brian Mann (@brianmannadk.bsky.social) December 22, 2024 at 2:05 PM
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The situation prompted a flurry of reactions from journalists and political analysts. CNN’s Edward-Isaac Dovere remarked on X (formerly Twitter), “Says a lot about a lot of things that this headline exists: ‘Missing’ GOP Congresswoman Not Seen For Six Months Finally Found Living at Dementia Care Home.'”
Former MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan criticized the broader issue, stating, “American gerontocracy, on both sides of the political aisle, is an absolute embarrassment.” Independent DC bureau chief Eric Michael Garcia highlighted the systemic issues within Congress, observing, “Congress rewards seniority to build power.
That incentivizes people to stay long past their expiry date.” Jamie Dupree, a congressional reporter, pointed out, “The last time Granger voted was in July. No explanation has been offered by her office.”
The story has reignited debates about the aging of America’s leaders. NPR’s Brian Mann noted, “The story of 81-yr-old US Rep. Kay Granger reportedly living in a dementia facility while missing votes highlights the need for better reporting on the aging of America’s leaders. US lawmakers older than 70 now outnumber those under age 40 by more than 3-to-1.”
This startling case has underscored the need for greater transparency and accountability in how Congress addresses the realities of aging leadership.
