Absent US congresswoman, 81, found in care home triggering demands for younger politicians

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2024/12/25/kay-granger-republican-congresswoman-care-home-votes-absent/

17 comments

  1. **From The Telegraph’s US Editor, Tony Diver:**

    An 81-year-old congresswoman found in a Texas care home with [dementia](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/conditions/dementia/dementia-alzheimers-diagnosis-first-early-signs-symptoms-test-types/) has sparked calls for a “new generation” of American politicians.

    Kay Granger, a Republican representative, was revealed earlier this week to be living in a care home in Fort Worth, explaining her months of absence from votes in Washington.

    Her son, Brandon Granger, told a local newspaper in Texas his mother had been “having some [dementia-related issues](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/dementia/)”.

    In a statement released on Tuesday, [Ms Granger](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/palestinianauthority/8813443/Washington-threatens-UNESCO-funding-for-overture-to-Palestinians.html) said she had been “navigating some unforeseen health challenges” that had made travelling to vote in Congress “both difficult and unpredictable”. She said her staff had continued to work in her absence.

    The news has prompted fresh demands for a younger generation of politicians, following a presidential campaign cycle dominated by speculation about the [age and health of both Joe Biden](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2024/06/28/president-joe-biden-us-election-age-concerns-support-debate/) and [Donald Trump](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/comment/2023/11/28/joe-biden-donald-trump-age-medical-records-presidency/).

    Mr Trump, 78, will become the oldest president to take office next month, overtaking the record set by Mr Biden in 2020.

    Politics in the White House and on Capitol Hill has been dominated by octogenarian politicians in recent years.

    In February, the Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, 82, announced he would stand down from his leadership role after health issues that saw him freeze in front of television cameras, apparently unable to continue speaking.

    Ro Khanna, a 48-year-old California Democrat, said the latest revelations about Ms Granger’s health were part of a long-running issue with Washington’s “sclerotic gerontocracy”.

    “Kay Granger’s long absence reveals the problem with a Congress that rewards seniority and relationships more than merit and ideas,” he said.

    “We have a sclerotic gerontocracy. We need term limits. We need to get big money out of politics so a new generation of Americans can run and serve.”

    Tony Gonzales, a fellow Texas Republican, said he did not know his colleague had been moved to an assisted living facility.

    “I think there’s no doubt a lot of us knew that she was gaining in age, like a lot of members do,” he told CBS.

    “And, sadly, some of these members wait until it’s too long – things have gone too far.”

    Following his election last month, Mr Trump said he would make all official assessments of his health public, in line with White House precedent.

    **Article Link:** [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2024/12/25/kay-granger-republican-congresswoman-care-home-votes-absent/](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2024/12/25/kay-granger-republican-congresswoman-care-home-votes-absent/)

  2. So Younger Politicians would be 60-65+ given us congress standard ..i mean that would at least be a good step for the time being

  3. I agree with the demand for younger politicians. Let’s start with Dementia Donnie.

  4. when asked for comment, she had this to say, “is it pudding time yet? i told Nurse i like the chocolate kind, but they keep giving me the vanilla kind. my son hasn’t visited since thanksgiving”

  5. Trump said that he’ll make all official assessments of his health public?
    Was that before or after he’s releasing his tax returns? Was that before or after he was releasing his health assessments from his previous administration? Was that before or after he broke into his previous physician’s office and stole all his medical records?

    If anybody believes that Trump will release ANY information about anything that shows him in less than an imaginary fantastic, greatest ever position, I’ve got a bridge to sell you in Brooklyn and some oceanfront Arizona property.

  6. This definitely shows a need to age limits as well as the need to have younger politicians. It’s an unfortunate circumstance, however, how can it be possible for someone to just not show up to work, and not tell anyone why and that just be ok?

  7. We already chose fresh new young leadership in the 2024 Presidential election. 78 is the new 60.

  8. And paying back the tax payers for her salary and perks while at the nursing home…..🙄

  9. They all want younger politicians, but nobody wants to vote for the younger politicians

  10. Crazy idea here. If there is a demand for younger politicians…vote for some?

  11. We’ve been demanding younger politicians for like 40 years

    When do we start like idk protesting for term limits? Something just about every single person agrees on.

  13. But the corporate overlords have already invested so much money in the older politicians. They are just trying to get the best return on their investment! /s

  15. In order for this to happen younger people need to run for office and younger people need to vote. If all the young people eligible to vote showed up to the polls last month…

  16. From an Australian perspective the whole thing’s absurd. Our ex politicians of significance of this age group will still politically commentate on occasion or be interviewed going for a jog (not kidding) but it’s recognised that the decision makers should all generally be under 60. Their pension packages are controversial, though.

  17. They act like you’re taking away an honor they’ve earned instead of a job they’re no longer capable of.

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