Former Rep. Kay Granger, R-Texas, died on Sunday on the age of 83, together with her ex-colleagues remembering her as a trailblazer who broke boundaries for ladies.
Granger was the primary girl elected mayor of Fort Price, Texas, in addition to the first Republican girl 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 yr following well being challenges and prolonged absences from Washington.
“As lots of my household, buddies, and colleagues have recognized, I’ve been navigating some unexpected well being challenges over the previous yr,” she stated in December 2024. “Nevertheless, since early September, my well being challenges have progressed, making frequent journey to Washington each tough and unpredictable. Throughout this time, my unimaginable workers has remained steadfast, persevering with to ship distinctive constituent providers, as they’ve for the previous 27 years.”
Republican and Democratic lawmakers stated they keep in mind Granger as somebody who broke boundaries for ladies.
“Kay Granger devoted her life to serving her Fort Price, Texas neighborhood — as a instructor and businesswoman, on the Fort Price Zoning Fee and Metropolis Council, as Mayor, and in Congress for almost three many years, 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., stated in a press release.
“Kelly and I ship our prayers to her household, family members, and the Fort Price neighborhood as we keep in mind her extraordinary lifetime of service and lasting legacy. She was a pricey good friend who shall be tremendously missed,” he added.
Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Mich., who serves as chair of the Home Republican Caucus, stated Granger “was a pioneer, a devoted public servant, and a trailblazing chief who opened doorways for generations of Republican girls to observe.”
“Her affect on Congress and our Nation won’t be forgotten. My prayers are together with her household and family members. Relaxation in peace,” McClain stated.
Home Appropriations Committee Rating Member Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., stated 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 obligation.”
“All through our years serving collectively on the Appropriations Committee, we labored by way of tough challenges with mutual respect and honesty,” DeLauro stated.
“Congresswoman Granger was the primary girl to sit down on and function chair of the Protection Appropriations Subcommittee. She was the primary Republican girl to steer 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 girls.”
“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.
