The 81-year-old Republican congressman from Texas, who hasn’t voted on the House floor since July and was recently found living in a nursing home, is expected to continue receiving a paycheck into the new year.
The prolonged absence of Kay Granger, who represents Texas’ 12th Congressional District, has caused concern in the district, Newsweek reported.
The paper said it was a Dallas Express reporter who ultimately located the 81-year-old man in a memory care facility in Fort Worth. But the congressman’s son told The Dallas Morning News that his mother is experiencing “dementia issues,” and that she is in an independent living facility rather than receiving memory care. revealed that.
The discovery of Mr Granger’s living situation comes after other prominent politicians have suffered from age-related problems while in service.
Representative Kay Granger, Republican of Texas, departs from the House Republican caucus at the Capitol on October 13, 2023 in Washington, DC, USA. Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Talk of the health of Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the oldest sitting senator who suffered from several serious illnesses, was common for years until her death at age 90.
Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell, now 82, has fallen and injured himself several times and appeared in public twice last year, freezing in front of reporters and being removed by staff. Earlier this month, he fell again, sustaining a cut on his face and spraining his wrist.
Days after McConnell’s fall, 84-year-old Democratic Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi fell down a flight of stairs while traveling abroad and had to undergo hip replacement surgery.
At 91 years old, Iowa State Senator Chuck Grassley is the oldest sitting senator.
CNN reported that the Texas Republican congressman appeared in Washington, D.C., in November to participate in the unveiling of a portrait commemorating his time on the Appropriations Committee.
Granger acknowledged in a statement to CNN that he has been suffering from health issues that have developed in recent months.
“I have overcome some unexpected health challenges over the past year,” the statement read in part. “However, since early September, my health issues have progressed, making frequent travel to Washington difficult and unpredictable.”
It is unclear why the 81-year-old, who announced in November 2023 that she would not run for re-election, did not inform voters that she would not be running.
The lawmaker and her staff will remain on taxpayers’ payrolls until January 3, 2025.
