U.S. Representative Kay Granger from Texas has acknowledged experiencing health challenges over the past year, following reports questioning her whereabouts and health status. This confirmation comes after her office denied claims that she was in memory care, specifically at Tradition-Clearfork in Fort Worth.
Image alt text: Representative Kay Granger, Republican from Texas, listening during a House Rules Committee hearing in Washington D.C., highlighting her long service and current health concerns.
The speculation began with a report from the Dallas Express, a conservative news outlet, suggesting Granger had not been in Washington for months and was residing at Tradition-Clearfork. This facility offers a range of senior living options, including assisted living and memory care. The Dallas Express report raised questions about whether the long-serving congresswoman, Kay Granger, was receiving memory care treatment.
Tradition-Clearfork declined to comment on Granger’s residency. However, in a subsequent report by the Dallas Morning News, Granger’s son confirmed she was a resident at the facility, clarifying that she was in the independent living section, not the memory care wing. He also admitted that his mother had been “having some dementia issues late in the year,” adding context to the concerns around Kay Granger Memory Care.
Granger, who has served Texas’s 12th Congressional District since 1997, had already announced in late 2023 that she would not seek reelection. She further stepped down from her influential position as chair of the House Appropriations Committee in March of this year. Her last recorded vote in Congress was in July, fueling further speculation about her health and ability to continue her duties effectively. Craig Goldman is set to succeed her when the new Congress convenes in January 2025, marking the end of Granger’s long tenure.
Image alt text: Congresswoman Kay Granger in Washington D.C., photographed at the U.S. Capitol Building, representing her role in the House Appropriations Committee and recent health-related news.
In response to the escalating reports, Granger’s office released an official statement firmly stating, “Kay Granger is not in Memory Care.” Accompanying this denial was a personal statement from Granger herself, acknowledging, “As many of my family, friends, and colleagues have known, I have been navigating some unforeseen health challenges over the past year.”
Granger elaborated that since early September, these “health challenges have progressed,” making frequent travel to Washington, D.C., “both difficult and unpredictable.” Despite these difficulties, Granger mentioned her return to Washington in November for meetings and overseeing the closure of her congressional office. During this time, the House Appropriations Committee honored her with a portrait unveiling ceremony on November 19th. However, despite the House being in session and voting on that day, Granger did not participate in the voting process.
Adding to the discussion, fellow Texas Republican Representative Tony Gonzales spoke to CBS News’ “Face the Nation.” Gonzales admitted he was unaware of the specifics of Granger’s health situation before the recent Dallas reports. He commented on the broader issue of age and health in Congress, stating, “I think there’s no doubt a lot of us knew that she was gaining an age, like a lot of members do. And sadly, you know, some of these members wait until things have gone too far.” Gonzales raised questions about the awareness of House leadership regarding Granger’s health, emphasizing the importance of representatives being capable of fulfilling their duties. “Congress should do its job, and if you can’t do your job, maybe you shouldn’t be there,” Gonzales asserted, highlighting the delicate balance between service and health in public office, particularly in discussions around topics like Kay Granger memory care and fitness for duty.
