An elderly member of Texas Congress, who was missing from the Capitol for six months, has been found in a nursing home that specializes in memory care, according to a report.
Longtime Republican Rep. Kay Granger, 81, has not cast a vote in Washington, D.C., since July — despite the GOP’s razor-thin majority in the House.
His prolonged absence caused concern among constituents in Texas’s 12th Congressional District, which covers the Dallas-Forth Worth metro area.
Granger did not run for re-election in November, but her disappearance is especially significant given that Republicans have a slim majority in the House — and votes on large swathes of the House, including government spending bills, are in the final days of her term.
After calls to Granger’s offices were sent to voicemail, and her constituency office was found to be vacant, a reporter dallas express It was reported that she was found lost and confused while walking in her neighborhood, after which she was living in a memory care facility.
According to the publication, Dallas Express reporters, who visited the facility to confirm Granger’s residence and learn how she planned to vote on the spending bill, were not allowed to speak to the congresswoman.
However, staff confirmed that Granger was living at the facility, the Express reports.
“This is their home,” Taylor Manziel, assistant executive director of the senior living facility, told the outlet.
Local officials expressed disappointment at Granger’s apparent absence from Washington after representing their district since 1997.
Republican Sen. Bo French of Tarrant County said the lack of representation in Congress during a critical voting period was “troubling to say the least.”
“At a time when exceptionally important votes are taking place, including on the debt ceiling, disaster relief, the farm bill and border issues, Kay Granger is nowhere to be found. The margin in Congress is narrow and 2 million people are disenfranchised due to the lack of Republican votes representing CD-12. We deserve better,” French said.
State Republican Executive Committee member Rolando Garcia said it was a “sad and dishonorable way” for Granger to end his 30-year political career, which also included mayor of Fort Worth.
Garcia wrote on had been in clear decline since.”
“A sad and dishonorable way to end his political career. Sadly, no one bothered to ‘snatch the keys’ before he reached this moment. And a sad commentary on the non-democracy of the Congress,” he said.
Granger’s constituents also expressed their concerns over the lack of representation, suggesting that newly elected Congressman Craig Goldman, who won his seat in November, should take over the job sooner.
“We need someone there with his full capabilities. Swear soon Craig. This is the solution. It is the right thing to do. She just missed by a big vote, it wasn’t win/loss on one vote but we still have to protect our country, it’s not about hurt feelings. He is a public servant, we have thanked him for his service but now he needs to resign,” Tarrant County resident Holly Plemons told the Express.
Granger and his staff will remain on taxpayers’ payroll until January 3.
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