The case of Rep. Kay Granger, a retiring 81-year-old Republican, is stirring controversy over Congress’ trend of shielding elderly lawmakers and conversations around reform. Recent reporting suggests the Texas representative is struggling with dementia and is staying at an assisted-living facility — all while holding office.

Longtime Republican U.S. Rep. Kay Granger of Texas is having "unforeseen health challenges” that have worsened in the final months of her more than two decades in Congress, a statement from her office said Monday.

Two weeks before the 119th U.S. Congress began, a story began to circulate online that U.S. Rep. Kay Granger, a Republican from Texas who had missed votes since July 2024, had been "found" in a dementia care facility. For example, the conservative X account Libs of TikTok posted the rumor on Dec. 21, 2024 ( archived ):

Granger, 81, missed 279 of the House’s 517 votes in 2024, more than the 278 votes she missed between 1997 and 2006. Her last vote was July 24 on an amendment to reduce the salary of an Environmental Protection Agency official to $1. By contrast, Granger missed only 32 votes in 2023.

( NewsNation) — U.S. Rep Kay Granger, R-Texas, has been residing at a senior living facility, and a family member says she has been experiencing some dementia issues, according to media reports.

Retiring U.S. Rep. Kay Granger, a Fort Worth Republican, is experiencing “health challenges,” the longtime congresswoman said in a Sunday, Dec. 22 statement.