Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) launched a harsh attack on his Republican colleague, Rep. Kay Granger of Texas, after reports surfaced that Granger had been found residing in a memory care nursing home, which followed her absence from every vote since July 24. Burchett voiced his frustrations during a Monday interview with Real America’s Voice, accusing both parties of being complicit in the financial mismanagement of government spending.
Burchett specifically took aim at the government funding allocated to reconstruct Maryland’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, which had been destroyed earlier this year. He questioned why American taxpayers were being asked to cover additional expenses when the cargo ship responsible for the bridge’s destruction had insurance. “Dadgummit, they had insurance on that cargo ship that hit it. Now, why the heck are the American taxpayers putting more money into it?” he remarked. The lawmaker called the situation a “crooked deal” and demanded greater accountability, insisting that both major political parties were guilty of enabling these kinds of practices.
In his criticism, Burchett also referenced the case of Rep. Granger, whose absence from Congress due to her reported health issues had not been publicly disclosed. He expressed outrage that Granger, who had missed numerous votes, was still receiving a paycheck while allegedly residing in an assisted living facility. “We just had a member, they found her in a nursing home, in a memory care nursing home, that was still drawing a check that’s a Republican,” he said, demanding more transparency and accountability from lawmakers.
Burchett’s comments were also directed at the broader issue of political spending, alleging that both parties were responsible for the out-of-control government spending that he and others had been criticizing. His comments come amid growing concerns about Congress’s inability to address wasteful spending, as well as the appearance of political favoritism and corruption.
The controversy surrounding Rep. Granger’s absence from Congress and the nature of her health concerns were first reported by The Dallas News, which revealed that she had been living in a local memory care facility. A constituent tip had indicated that the Congresswoman had been found wandering confused in her neighborhood prior to her move to the care facility, which prompted further scrutiny about her capacity to continue serving.
Burchett’s remarks add to the ongoing debate surrounding government accountability and the roles that elected officials should play in upholding ethical standards, particularly regarding their attendance and participation in legislative duties.
