'Missing' US congresswoman, 81, found living in care facility

The US Congress passed spending legislation in a down-to-the-wire burst of activity that averted a destabilizing government shutdown early on Dec 21, Reuters reported.

- Sarah Koh

But amid the frenetic negotiations and debate which engulfed Washington in recent weeks, speculation about the whereabouts of a Republican politician from Texas began to mount.

According to a review of her voting record by US news outlet CNN, Ms Kay Granger, 81, last voted on the House of Representatives floor on July 24.

Concern about her whereabouts had been growing among her constituents in Tarrant and Parker counties in Texas. Ms Granger, who represents Texas Congressional District 12, was later found by reporters to be living in a senior care facility.

According to a Dec 20 report in The Dallas Express, reporters had attempted to reach her without success. The report said phone calls to her office went to voicemail, and a visit to her office found it locked and unoccupied.

The Texas publication later received a tip alleging that Ms Granger had been living in the memory care wing of a senior living facility.