Kay Granger's constituents found themselves without representation during the critical vote on the Continuing Resolution (CR) in December 2024. Granger, who has served as the U.S. Representative for Texas's 12th Congressional District since 1997, was notably absent from Congress for the past six months before this vote. Reports surfaced that she had been residing in a memory care facility since July, with her last recorded vote being on July 24, 2024. This situation left her district, which includes roughly 824,946 residents according to the 2020 census, or up to 2.2 million potential voters as some X posts claimed, without a voice on crucial legislative matters, including the funding measures necessary to keep the government operational.

 

The absence of Granger during this period was particularly significant given the razor-thin majority Republicans held in the House. The CR vote was essential for providing temporary funding to prevent a government shutdown. Without Granger's vote, her constituents in Tarrant and Parker Counties were effectively disenfranchised on a key issue that affects national policy, economic stability, and local services. Local officials and constituents expressed their frustration and concern over this lack of representation. Tarrant County Republican Chairman Bo French highlighted the troubling nature of this situation, emphasizing the importance of the votes happening during this time, including those on the debt ceiling, disaster relief, farm bills, and border issues.

 

The situation has sparked a broader conversation about the mechanisms in place for handling such circumstances in Congress. There was no special election called to fill Granger's seat, leaving her district without representation since she announced her retirement in November 2023 but continued to hold her seat until the end of her term. This incident has brought to light questions about accountability, the need for clearer protocols when a representative is unable to perform their duties, and the impact on representation for affected constituents. While Granger's office had been closed, and communication attempts were met with silence, this absence underscored a significant gap in the democratic process for those she was elected to represent.