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U.S. Rep. Kay Granger, a retired Fort Worth Republican who has been absent from Congress frequently in recent months, said in a statement Sunday that she was facing “health issues.”
“As many of my family, friends, and colleagues know, I have overcome some unexpected health issues over the past year. However, since early September my health issues have progressed. , which also made frequent travel to Washington difficult,” she said. During this time, my wonderful staff remained steadfast and continued to provide excellent resident service, as they have for the past 27 years. ”
Granger, 81, is the first Republican woman elected to the Texas State Legislature and has served since 1997. In a statement, he said he was able to return to Washington, D.C., in November to attend meetings and oversee the office’s closure. As her final term comes to an end. She also attended a ceremony where a portrait was unveiled to commemorate her 25-year tenure on the House Appropriations Committee.
Mr. Granger did not run for re-election this year. She will be replaced by Republican state Rep. Craig Goldman, who won the race for the seat in November. His term begins when Congress reconvenes on January 3.
Ms. Granger did not discuss her health problems. Her staff did not immediately respond to questions about why Ms. Granger’s health problems had not been disclosed to the public until now.
Granger last voted in Congress in July. She was one of 29 lawmakers who did not vote Friday on a key spending bill to keep the government running, but the bill passed the House with an overwhelming majority. The Senate gave final passage on Saturday.
The Dallas Morning News reported Sunday that Granger’s son, Brandon Granger, said his mother lives in a Fort Worth senior citizen facility and has “dementia issues.”
“It’s been a tough year,” he told the News.
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Brandon Granger denied previous reports that his mother was in a memory care facility.
Mr. Granger previously served as mayor of Fort Worth. In Congress, she has served on the influential House Appropriations Committee since 1999. She took over as chair in 2022 and stepped down from the position earlier this year.
Reporting in the Rio Grande Valley is supported in part by Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.
