Former U.S. Rep. Kay Granger, a Texas Republican whose career reshaped the political landscape for women in public office, died Sunday at 83, prompting tributes from former colleagues across Congress.
Granger made history repeatedly: she became Fort Worth’s first woman mayor, the first Republican woman from Texas elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, and the first Republican woman to lead the powerful House Appropriations Committee.
First elected to Congress in 1996 and sworn in the following year, Granger served in the House for nearly three decades before retiring last January after health issues led to prolonged absences from Capitol Hill.
“As many of my family, friends, and colleagues have known, I have been navigating some unforeseen health challenges over the past year,” she said in December 2024. “However, since early September, my health challenges have progressed, making frequent travel to Washington both difficult and unpredictable. During this time, my incredible staff has remained steadfast, continuing to deliver exceptional constituent services, as they have for the past 27 years.”
Lawmakers from both parties remembered Granger as a barrier-breaking figure whose influence extended well beyond her North Texas district.
“Kay Granger devoted her life to serving her Fort Worth, Texas community — as a teacher and businesswoman, on the Fort Worth Zoning Commission and City Council, as Mayor, and in Congress for nearly three decades, where she also served as Chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee. Throughout her career, she broke barriers for women in public service,” House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said in a statement.
READ MORE: Gavin Newsom’s Tax Filings Reveal Earnings Amid Wife Scrutiny
“Kelly and I send our prayers to her family, loved ones, and the Fort Worth community as we remember her extraordinary life of service and lasting legacy. She was a dear friend who will be greatly missed,” Johnson added.
Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Mich., chair of the House Republican Caucus, called Granger “a pioneer, a dedicated public servant, and a trailblazing leader who opened doors for generations of Republican women to follow.”
“Her impact on Congress and our Nation will not be forgotten. My prayers are with her family and loved ones. Rest in peace,” McClain said.
House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., said she was “deeply saddened” by her passing, saying the former GOP lawmaker “devoted her life to serving the people of Texas and our nation with integrity, determination, and a profound sense of duty.”
“Throughout our years serving together on the Appropriations Committee, we worked through difficult challenges with mutual respect and honesty,” DeLauro said.
“Congresswoman Granger was the first woman to sit on and serve as chair of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. She was the first Republican woman to lead the full Appropriations Committee, and with our counterparts Senators Patty Murray and Susan Collins, was part of the first Committee led on all four corners by women.”
“At every step of her career, she earned the respect of Members on both sides of the aisle through her steady leadership and deep belief in the importance of Congress fulfilling its constitutional responsibility to invest in the American people,” DeLauro added.
