The 81-year-old congresswoman’s situation reanimated a debate about the health and mental acuity of aging elected officials, with many colleagues urging changes.

Retiring U.S. Rep. Kay Granger, R-Fort Worth, has missed votes in Congress since the summer and her son said she has been “having some dementia issues late in the year.” The last time the 81-year-old congresswoman cast a vote on the House floor was the morning of July 24.