'Missing' GOP Congresswoman Kay Granger found living in Texas assisted living facility for dementia patients

A still sitting Texas Congresswoman has been missing votes in Washington because she's been living in a $4,000-a-month nursing home for the past six months. 

Kay Granger, 81, who was set to wind up a nearly 30-year career in the House in January, has been missing from her office for the past six months. 

The current longest-serving GOP representative had not been on record voting for or against anything since July.  

Carlos Turcios, a reporter for a local outlet, started to do some research by contacting her offices which never once responded to calls, going directly to voicemail. 

Granger's constituency office was also a complete ghost town upon a visit, with no signs of anyone working there. 

Eventually, one of Granger's constituents suggested to the Dallas Express that the Congresswoman was living in an assisted living facility.

She was reportedly living at a care home that specializes in memory loss after she'd been 'found wandering, lost and confused' in her district. 

A visit to the Tradition-Clearfork in Fort Worth resulted in two employees confirming that Granger lives there. 

'This is her home,' said Taylor Manziel, the Tradition-Clearfork's Assistant Executive Director. 

With a month remaining in her term and important votes still taking place in Washington daily, local officials are furious to discover her absence. 

'The lack of representation for CD-12 is troubling to say the least,' said Tarrant County GOP Chair Bo French. 

'At a time when extraordinarily important votes are happening, including debt ceiling, disaster relief, farm bills and border issues, Kay Granger is nowhere to be found. The margin in Congress is razor thin and the lack of a Republican vote representing CD-12 disenfranchises 2 million people. We deserve better.'

'The fact that Kay Granger is unable to leave her nursing home to participate in the most important congressional vote of the year suggests she was already in visible decline when she ran for re-election in 2022,' said Rolando Garcia, a Republican Committeeman in the district. 

'A sad and humiliating way to end her political career. Sad that nobody cared enough to “take away the keys” before she reached this moment and a sad commentary on the congressional gerontocracy.'

The Congresswoman and her staff presumably continue to take in their taxpayer-funded salaries. 

The space in which she's been living for the past half year charges over $4,000-per-month in rent, according to 360 West. 

Amenities include a 24-hour concierge, lounges, card rooms, a movie theater, an indoor pool, and group exercise classes. 

One resident questioned by Craig Goldman, the fellow Republican elected to replace Granger, isn't being sworn in early. Goldman has yet to comment.

In the Senate, New Jersey Democrat Andy Kim was sworn in one month early to replace the interim substitute for disgraced Bob Menendez. 

Until 2024, Granger was the Republican chairwoman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee. 

She said in November 2023 that she will not seek reelection in 2024 after nearly three decades in Congress.

Her district, which includes Fort Worth, is heavily Republican, as displayed by Goldman's election.

'It´s time for the next generation to step up and take the mantle and be a strong and fierce representative for the people,' Granger said in a statement.

Her decision ends a barrier-breaking career that included serving as Fort Worth's first female mayor and Texas' first GOP congresswoman. 

Granger's district includes a Lockheed Martin plant that builds the F-35 fighter jet, and over the years, she has been a key force in securing more military funding.

Granger was among the Republicans who opposed Rep. Jim Jordan's bid to become House speaker. 

She said she will work with new Speaker Mike Johnson 'to advance our conservative agenda' for the remainder of her term.