As the midterm election season intensifies and lawmakers scramble to position themselves on a flood of high-stakes legislation, Congress has been unusually active recently.
Amid that swirl of political maneuvering, the Republican conference and the broader nation paused Sunday to mourn the loss of one of its most steadfast and trailblazing members.
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Former Rep. Kay Granger, R-Texas, the first Republican woman elected to the House from the Lone Star State and the first from her party to chair the powerful House Appropriations Committee, died at the age of 83.
Her son, J.D. Granger, confirmed the news.
No cause of death was immediately released, though Granger had publicly acknowledged “unforeseen health challenges” in her final months in office, later revealed by family to include dementia-related issues that kept her from Washington for much of 2024.
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House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., led the tributes, calling Granger a dear friend whose extraordinary life of service would not be forgotten.
“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,” Johnson wrote on X.
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“Throughout her career, she broke barriers for women in public service. She was the first woman to serve as Mayor of Fort Worth, the first Republican woman elected to represent Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives, and the first Republican woman to chair the House Appropriations Committee,” Johnson added.
“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 continued.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, echoed that sentiment, describing a “life of historic firsts.”
“For nearly three decades, she championed North Texas, our Armed Forces, and a strong national defense,” Cruz said.
“We are praying for her family and all who loved her.” Rep. Craig Goldman, R-Texas, who succeeded Granger in the 12th District, called her a legend who transformed the city she loved.
“Kay will be greatly missed, but her incredible legacy will not be forgotten,” Goldman said.
Born Norvell Kay Granger on January 18, 1943, in Greenville, Texas, she grew up in Fort Worth, graduated from Eastern Hills High School in 1961, and earned a bachelor’s degree from Texas Wesleyan University in 1965.
A former high school teacher and successful small-business owner in the insurance industry, Granger raised three children as a single mother after her divorce.
She entered public service on the Fort Worth Zoning Commission from 1981 to 1989, then the City Council from 1989 to 1991, before becoming the city’s first female mayor in 1991.
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During her tenure through 1995, she oversaw economic growth and innovative crime-control measures that significantly reduced crime rates.
Former Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX) has passed away at the age of 83 pic.twitter.com/81ZQCqTmdw
— Politics & Poll Tracker 📡 (@PollTracker2024) August 3, 2026
Elected to Congress in 1996, Granger represented Texas’s 12th District—covering much of western Tarrant County, Fort Worth, and Parker County—for 14 terms, from 1997 until her retirement in January 2025.
She quickly established herself as a reliable conservative voice focused on fiscal responsibility, national security, and delivering for her constituents rather than chasing national headlines.
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A longtime member of the Appropriations Committee for 25 years, she rose to ranking member and then chairwoman in January 2023 after Republicans reclaimed the House majority.
She stepped down from the chairmanship in April 2024.
Granger’s most enduring achievements centered on defending America’s military strength and protecting Fort Worth’s defense industry.
As the first woman to serve on and later chair the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, she was a fierce advocate for the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet program built by Lockheed Martin in her district, securing additional aircraft and sustainment funding that supported tens of thousands of jobs and billions in economic impact.
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She also helped preserve Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth and pushed for modernization of other critical platforms.
Granger announced in 2023 that she would not seek re-election, citing a desire to finish her term strong.
Health challenges later limited her travel, but her staff continued delivering for constituents until the end. In 2025, she was honored as Fort Worth Inc.’s Person of the Year for her lasting impact.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
