Texas Rep. Kay Granger, who has been absent from Congress for several months, revealed on Sunday that health issues have significantly affected her ability to carry out her congressional duties.
U.S. Rep. Kay Granger, a Republican from Fort Worth, has been facing health challenges that have kept her away from Congress in recent months. In a statement released on Sunday, Granger, 81, shared that her health issues, which began earlier this year, have made frequent travel to Washington increasingly difficult and unpredictable.
“As many of my family, friends, and colleagues have known, I have been navigating some unforeseen health challenges over the past year,” Granger said. “However, since early September, my health challenges have progressed making frequent travel to Washington both difficult and unpredictable.” Despite the challenges, Granger emphasized that her dedicated staff continued to provide exceptional service to her constituents in Texas.
A Long Career in Congress
Kay Granger made history in 1997 when she became the first Republican woman elected to represent Texas in Congress. Over the course of her nearly three-decade-long tenure, she earned a reputation as a key player in Congress, particularly through her role on the House Appropriations Committee. Granger chaired the influential committee starting in 2022 before stepping down earlier this year due to her health.
In her statement, Granger mentioned that she was able to return to Washington in November for critical meetings, including overseeing the closure of her congressional office and attending a ceremony honoring her contributions, which included the unveiling of her portrait to mark her 25 years on the Appropriations Committee.
Granger had previously announced that she would not run for re-election this year. She was succeeded by state Rep. Craig Goldman, a Republican who won her seat in the November election. Goldman will officially take over the position when Congress reconvenes on January 3.
Health Issues Remain Private
While Granger acknowledged her health challenges in her statement, she did not provide specific details about her condition. Her staff did not immediately respond to inquiries about why her health issues were not disclosed earlier or what particular health concerns she is facing.
However, The Dallas Morning News reported that Granger’s son, Brandon Granger, shared that his mother is currently living in a senior-living facility in Fort Worth and dealing with “dementia issues.” Brandon Granger, however, refuted earlier reports that suggested his mother was in a memory care facility. “It’s been a hard year,” he told the news outlet.
A Lasting Legacy in Fort Worth and Washington
Before her time in Congress, Kay Granger served as the mayor of Fort Worth, Texas. During her congressional career, she earned a reputation for championing the interests of her district and the state of Texas, particularly in the area of defense spending and federal appropriations.
As Granger prepares to step down, her legacy as a pioneering figure for Republican women in Congress remains secure. Despite the challenges she faced in her final years, Granger’s contributions to the nation’s fiscal policy and her service to Texas will not soon be forgotten.
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