🕊️ Former Texas Congresswoman Kay Granger Dies at 83 After Nearly Three Decades of Public Service

FORT WORTH, Texas — Former U.S. Representative Kay Granger, a pioneering Texas Republican who spent nearly three decades in Congress and became one of the most influential figures in federal budget policy, has died at the age of 83. Her passing marks the end of a political career defined by historic achievements, congressional leadership and a longstanding connection to Fort Worth.

Granger, who represented Texas’ 12th Congressional District from 1997 to 2025, died on August 2, according to the U.S. House Office of the Historian. During her years in public office, she broke significant political barriers, becoming Fort Worth’s first female mayor and the first Republican woman from Texas elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

In 2023, she reached another milestone when she became the first Republican woman to chair the powerful House Appropriations Committee, placing her at the center of congressional negotiations over federal spending and national priorities.

Her journey from local government to the highest levels of congressional budget leadership reflected decades of political dedication and a career that helped shape both Texas politics and national policymaking.

From Fort Worth to the National Political Stage

Born on January 18, 1943, in Greenville, Texas, Granger grew up in Fort Worth, the city that would become the foundation of her political career.

She graduated from Eastern Hills High School before earning a bachelor’s degree from Texas Wesleyan University in 1965. Before entering politics, she worked as a teacher and later became a business owner, experiences that preceded her transition into public service.

Granger began building her political reputation through local government. She served on Fort Worth’s Zoning Commission from 1981 to 1989 before winning a seat on the City Council in 1989.

Two years later, she was elected mayor, making history as the first woman to lead the city. She served as mayor until 1995, establishing herself as a prominent local political figure before setting her sights on Washington.

Her congressional breakthrough came in 1996, when she won election to represent Texas’ 12th District. She officially took office in January 1997 and went on to serve 14 consecutive terms.

After nearly 28 years in Congress, Granger announced in 2024 that she would not seek reelection. Her congressional service concluded in January 2025.

A Historic Role in Federal Spending

One of the defining achievements of Granger’s congressional career was her long association with the House Appropriations Committee, which oversees legislation funding federal departments, agencies and government programs.

She joined the committee in 1999 and spent approximately 25 years working on federal appropriations. Over time, she advanced through its leadership ranks, gaining significant influence over the process through which Congress determines how taxpayer money is distributed.

Her appointment as committee chairwoman in January 2023 represented a historic moment for Republican women in Congress.

The position placed Granger in a central role in negotiations over federal spending priorities, including national defense, domestic programs and the day-to-day operations of the federal government.

Leading the committee required navigating competing political demands, negotiating funding agreements and working through disagreements over government spending. Her responsibilities placed her among the lawmakers most directly involved in shaping the federal budget process.

Her leadership also underscored the importance of congressional appropriations in determining how federal resources support national security, public services and government operations.

Defense Spending and North Texas Interests

National defense remained another major focus of Granger’s congressional work.

She chaired the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee during the 115th Congress, overseeing a portfolio involving military funding and national security priorities.

Her North Texas district included important defense-related interests, making military spending particularly relevant to her work in Washington.

Through her committee assignments, Granger participated in decisions involving military readiness, defense resources and funding for the armed forces. These responsibilities placed her at the intersection of congressional budget negotiations and broader national security debates.

Her work extended beyond defense, however. The Appropriations Committee oversees funding across a wide range of federal departments and programs, requiring lawmakers to weigh competing priorities and determine how limited public resources should be allocated.

Breaking Barriers in Texas and Washington

Granger’s significance extended beyond her committee assignments and legislative responsibilities.

Her election as Fort Worth’s first female mayor marked an important milestone in the city’s history. Her subsequent election to Congress made her the first Republican woman from Texas to serve in the House of Representatives.

Becoming chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee added another achievement to that record, placing her in a position of considerable influence over the federal government’s spending decisions.

In November 2024, colleagues and congressional staff recognized her career during a portrait unveiling at the House Appropriations Committee, honoring her years of service and leadership.

The tribute came as her congressional career approached its conclusion, providing an opportunity to reflect on her contributions to the institution and the district she represented for nearly three decades.

A Legacy of Public Service

Granger’s career connected three major institutions: Fort Worth City Hall, the U.S. House of Representatives and the House Appropriations Committee.

From her early work in municipal government to her years overseeing federal spending priorities, she remained a prominent figure in Texas Republican politics and congressional policymaking.

Her departure from Congress in January 2025 closed a career that spanned profound changes in American politics and government. Her death at 83 marks the passing of a public official whose achievements included breaking barriers for women in local and national government.

For Fort Worth, Texas and the institution she once led, Granger’s legacy will be associated with her historic electoral victories, her influence over federal appropriations and her lengthy commitment to public office.

Her path from educator and business owner to mayor and congressional committee chairwoman stands as a defining chapter in her public record, reflecting a career that began in local service and ultimately reached one of the most consequential positions in the U.S. House of Representatives.