Two weeks before the 119th U.S. Congress began, a story began to circulate online that U.S. Rep. Kay Granger, a Republican from Texas who had missed votes since July 2024, had been "found" in a dementia care facility. For example, the conservative X account Libs of TikTok posted the rumor on Dec. 21, 2024 ( archived ):

Rep. Kay Granger has not cast a vote in Congress since July and stepped down from the powerful House Appropriations Committee in March.

Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas) says she’s had “unforeseen health challenges,” with her office denying that she’s in memory care. “I am deeply grateful for the outpouring of care and concern over the past several days,

Granger's disappearance is especially significant given the tiny majority Republicans hold in the House — and the massive votes that are taking place, including the government spending bill — in the waning days of her tenure.

U.S. Rep. Kay Granger, 81, is at a Fort Worth senior living facility and "having some dementia issues," her son says.

Longtime Republican U.S. Rep. Kay Granger of Texas is having “unforeseen health challenges” that have worsened in the final months of her more than two decades in Congress, a statement from her office said Monday.

Here’s everything you need to know about Kay Granger, the embattled Texas Republican alleged to be living in a retirement home.