Former Rep. Kay Granger, R-Texas, died on Sunday on the age of 83, along with her ex-colleagues remembering her as a trailblazer who broke boundaries for ladies.
Granger was the primary lady elected mayor of Fort Value, Texas, in addition to the first Republican lady from the Lone Star State elected to the US Home of Representatives and the primary feminine Republican appropriations chair.
After serving within the US Home from 1997, Granger retired in January of final 12 months following well being challenges and prolonged absences from Washington.
“As a lot of my household, associates, and colleagues have identified, I’ve been navigating some unexpected well being challenges over the previous 12 months,” she mentioned in December 2024. “Nevertheless, since early September, my well being challenges have progressed, making frequent journey to Washington each troublesome and unpredictable. Throughout this time, my unimaginable employees has remained steadfast, persevering with to ship distinctive constituent companies, as they’ve for the previous 27 years.”
Republican and Democratic lawmakers mentioned they bear in mind Granger as somebody who broke boundaries for ladies.
“Kay Granger devoted her life to serving her Fort Value, Texas group — as a instructor and businesswoman, on the Fort Value Zoning Fee and Metropolis Council, as Mayor, and in Congress for practically three a long time, the place she additionally served as Chairwoman of the Home Appropriations Committee. All through her profession, she broke boundaries for ladies in public service,” Home Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., mentioned in an announcement.
“Kelly and I ship our prayers to her household, family members, and the Fort Value group as we bear in mind her extraordinary lifetime of service and lasting legacy. She was a pricey good friend who shall be significantly missed,” he added.
Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Mich., who serves as chair of the Home Republican Caucus, mentioned Granger “was a pioneer, a devoted public servant, and a trailblazing chief who opened doorways for generations of Republican ladies to observe.”
“Her impression on Congress and our Nation is not going to be forgotten. My prayers are along with her household and family members. Relaxation in peace,” McClain mentioned.
Home Appropriations Committee Rating Member Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., mentioned she was “deeply saddened” by her passing, saying the previous GOP lawmaker “devoted her life to serving the folks of Texas and our nation with integrity, willpower, and a profound sense of responsibility.”
“All through our years serving collectively on the Appropriations Committee, we labored by way of troublesome challenges with mutual respect and honesty,” DeLauro mentioned.
“Congresswoman Granger was the primary lady to sit down on and function chair of the Protection Appropriations Subcommittee. She was the primary Republican lady to guide the complete Appropriations Committee, and with our counterparts Senators Patty Murray and Susan Collins, was a part of the primary Committee led on all 4 corners by ladies.”
“At each step of her profession, she earned the respect of Members on each side of the aisle by way of her regular management and deep perception within the significance of Congress fulfilling its constitutional duty to spend money on the American folks,” DeLauro added.
