Fact Check: "Kay Granger, 81, was hidden in an assisted-living facility for six months."
What We Know
Kay Granger, an 81-year-old Republican congresswoman from Texas, has not participated in any votes in Washington D.C. since July 2023. Reports emerged that she was living in a retirement community, with some sources claiming it specializes in memory care due to her exhibiting signs of dementia (source-1, source-3). The Dallas Express reported that Granger was found wandering her neighborhood prior to her move to the facility, which raised concerns about her health and capability to serve her constituents (source-4).
However, Granger's family has disputed these claims. Her son, Brandon Granger, stated that she moved into an independent living facility because she was feeling lonely and bored, and he described the facility as a "nice condo" rather than a memory care unit. He acknowledged that she has shown signs of dementia, but he claimed these symptoms only developed after she had already moved into the facility (source-1, source-6).
Analysis
The claim that Kay Granger was "hidden" in an assisted-living facility for six months is nuanced. While it is true that she has not been active in Congress and has been living in a retirement community, the characterization of her being "hidden" is misleading. The reports from the Dallas Express and other outlets suggest that her absence from Congress is linked to health issues, including possible dementia, which her family has confirmed (source-4, source-6).
The reliability of the sources varies. The Dallas Express, which first reported her condition, has ties to a political opponent of Granger, potentially introducing bias (source-4). Conversely, Granger's family members and her spokesperson have provided statements that counter the narrative of her being in a memory care unit, emphasizing her independent living status (source-1).
Despite the conflicting narratives, it is clear that Granger's health has been a concern, and her absence from Congress has raised alarms among her constituents, who feel underrepresented during critical voting periods (source-3).
Conclusion
The claim that Kay Granger was "hidden" in an assisted-living facility for six months is Partially True. While she has indeed been living in a retirement community and has not voted in Congress for an extended period, the assertion that she was "hidden" is misleading. Her family has publicly denied that she is in a memory care unit, instead describing her living situation as independent. However, the acknowledgment of her health issues, including signs of dementia, complicates the narrative and underscores the seriousness of her situation.
