Rep. Kay Granger, a Republican from Texas, is setting the record straight after a report from the Dallas Express suggested she was in memory care. The article claimed she hadn’t been in Washington for months and was staying at Tradition-Clearfork in Fort Worth, a facility offering assisted living and memory care services. While Tradition-Clearfork didn’t comment on the matter, Granger’s son confirmed to the Dallas Morning News that she lives there, but in the independent living section, not the memory care wing.
He did mention that his mother has been dealing with some dementia issues recently, though.
Granger, 81, who has served Texas’s 12th Congressional District since 1997, made headlines late last year when she announced she wouldn’t seek reelection. In March 2024, she stepped down from her role as chair of the House Appropriations Committee and cast her last vote in July. She will be succeeded by Craig Goldman when the new Congress begins in January 2025.
In response to the rumors, Granger’s office released a statement, saying, “Kay Granger is not in Memory Care.” The congresswoman also addressed the situation herself, explaining that she’s been dealing with health challenges over the past year. She admitted that these issues have made it tough to travel to Washington frequently.
Although she returned in November for a few meetings and even had her portrait unveiled by the House Appropriations Committee, Granger didn’t participate in the House vote that day.
Rep. Tony Gonzales, another Texas Republican, spoke about Granger’s health on Sunday, saying that while everyone knew she was getting older, many weren’t aware of the full extent of her condition. He also pointed out that Congress should be mindful of its members’ ability to perform their duties and suggested that if a member can’t do the job, they might need to step aside.
Granger’s situation has sparked important conversations about the challenges some lawmakers face, and how Congress should support them as they navigate health issues in their later years.
