Texas Representative Kay Granger, a Republican, is currently residing in a retirement facility, according to a source who spoke to Fox News. This information clarifies a recent local news report that mistakenly placed her in a memory care unit. The source emphasized that while the facility offers memory care services, Granger is not utilizing that specific section.

Granger, 81, has been noticeably absent from Capitol Hill in recent months, last voting on July 24th and missing over half of the votes this year. Her diminished presence prompted an investigation by the Dallas Express, which published an article suggesting she was in a memory care facility, a claim now refuted.

Granger, who is retiring at the close of the current congressional term, addressed the situation in a statement to Fox News. She acknowledged facing health issues over the past year, which have intensified since early September, making regular travel to Washington challenging. She expressed gratitude for the support received and praised her staff for their continued dedication to constituent services.

Having served in the House since 1997, and previously as Fort Worth's first female mayor, Granger's tenure is marked by a long history of public service. Although absent from voting since July, she did return to the Capitol in November for the unveiling of her portrait as Appropriations Committee Chairwoman and a subsequent reception, attended by prominent figures like House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise.

A senior Republican source indicated to Fox News that Granger's decision to remain in office despite health challenges stemmed from the extremely narrow Republican majority in the House, emphasizing the importance of every vote. This slim majority poses significant challenges for leadership in the upcoming 119th Congress, where attendance will be crucial for legislative success. Rep. Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California, criticized Granger's extended absence on social media, arguing for term limits and campaign finance reform to encourage younger generations to participate in government.