Kay Granger facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kay Granger
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| Chair of the House Appropriations Committee | |
| In office January 3, 2023 – April 10, 2024 |
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| Preceded by | Rosa DeLauro |
| Succeeded by | Tom Cole |
| Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee | |
| In office January 3, 2019 – January 3, 2023 |
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| Preceded by | Nita Lowey |
| Succeeded by | Rosa DeLauro |
| Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference | |
| In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2009 |
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| Leader | John Boehner |
| Preceded by | Jack Kingston |
| Succeeded by | Cathy McMorris Rodgers |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 12th district |
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| In office January 3, 1997 – January 3, 2025 |
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| Preceded by | Pete Geren |
| Succeeded by | Craig Goldman |
| 41st Mayor of Fort Worth | |
| In office May 21, 1991 – December 19, 1995 |
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| Preceded by | Bob Bolen |
| Succeeded by | Jewell Woods (acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 18, 1943 Greenville, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Texas Wesleyan University (BA) |
Norvell Kay Granger (born January 18, 1943) is an American politician. She served as a U.S. representative for Texas's 12th congressional district from 1997 to 2025. As a member of the Republican Party, Granger led the House Committee on Appropriations from 2023 to 2024.
Before becoming a U.S. Representative, Granger was a teacher and businesswoman. She worked on the zoning commission and city council in Fort Worth. In 1991, she became the first female mayor of Fort Worth, serving until 1995.
Granger was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1996. She was the first Republican woman to represent Texas in the U.S. House. She was also the first Republican woman to lead the House Committee on Appropriations.
Granger did not run for re-election in 2024. She had been living in a senior care facility in Fort Worth since July 2024.
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Early Life and Education
Kay Granger was born in Greenville, Texas. She finished high school at Eastern Hills High School in 1961. She then graduated from Texas Wesleyan University in 1965.
Early Career in Public Service
Granger worked as a teacher and ran her own business. She served on Fort Worth's zoning commission from 1981 to 1989. After that, she was on the Fort Worth City Council from 1989 to 1991.
In 1991, Granger made history by becoming the first woman elected as mayor of Fort Worth. She held this important role until 1995.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives
Becoming a Representative
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Kay Granger was first elected to Congress in 1996. She is a Republican. When U.S. Representative Pete Geren decided to retire, both major parties wanted Granger to run for his seat. She represented Texas's 12th congressional district for many years, from 1997 to 2025.
In 2020, Donald Trump, who was president at the time, supported her re-election campaign.
Key Roles and Responsibilities
In 2006, Granger was elected as the Conference Vice Chair. This was the fourth-highest position among Republicans in the House. She also led the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State-Foreign Operations.
Granger was a member of the House Appropriations Committee for 25 years. This committee decides how the government spends money. She was the first woman to serve on the Subcommittee on Defense. She also worked on the Labor, Health, Human Services, and Education Subcommittee. Granger also served as a House Deputy Whip, helping to gather votes for her party.
After Republicans won more seats in the House in 2022, Granger became the chair of the Appropriations Committee in January 2023. She was the first woman to hold this powerful position. Granger stepped down from this leadership role in April 2024.
In January 2021, Granger was not present for Donald Trump's second impeachment vote because she had COVID-19. She was one of four Republicans who did not vote. However, she stated that she was against impeaching Trump.
Retirement from Congress
On October 30, 2023, Granger announced that she would not run for re-election in 2024. On March 22, 2024, she said she would step down as chair of the House Appropriations Committee. Her replacement was chosen on April 10, 2024.
Granger's last recorded vote in Congress was on July 24, 2024. She was then absent from the Capitol for several months. She returned in November 2024 for a ceremony honoring her work on the Appropriations Committee.
In December 2024, it was confirmed that Granger had been living in a senior care facility in Fort Worth since July 2024. Her son mentioned she was facing health challenges. This led to public discussion about older politicians continuing to serve while facing health issues.
Republican Craig Goldman was elected to represent Texas's 12th congressional district on November 5, 2024. He took over her seat in January 2025.
Political Views
The Washington Post described Granger as generally moderate on social issues but careful with government spending. In 2013, the National Journal said she was about 73% conservative and 27% liberal. According to FiveThirtyEight, she voted with President Trump's views about 97% of the time by February 2020. By October 2021, she voted with President Biden's views about 11% of the time.
Granger is well-known for supporting strong defense spending.
She voted several times to change the United States Constitution to make it a crime to damage the American flag. She also supported defining marriage as only between a man and a woman.
During her time in Congress, Granger supported over $50 million in special funding for projects in Fort Worth. These projects helped the Trinity River Vision Authority, an organization led by her son.
Granger voted to support Israel after the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.
Presidential Endorsements
On September 25, 2007, Granger supported former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney for president. She became a national co-chair for his campaign group, Women for Mitt.
In 2015, Granger did not support Donald Trump for president. She said he should not be considered to lead the nation. However, in 2020, she changed her mind and endorsed Trump, and he also endorsed her.
Committee and Caucus Memberships
- Committee on Appropriations
Granger was also part of several groups in Congress, including:
- Anti-Terrorism Caucus (Co-Chair)
- United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus
- Iraqi Women's Caucus (Co-Chair)
- Sportsmen's Caucus
- Congressional Arts Caucus
- U.S.–Japan Caucus
- House Baltic Caucus
- Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus
- Republican Study Committee
- Congressional Caucus on Turkey and Turkish Americans
Writing a Book
In 2006, Kay Granger wrote a book called What's Right About America, Celebrating Our Nation's Values. The book shared her thoughts on important lessons from famous people in U.S. history.
Personal Life
Kay Granger has three children and five grandchildren. She is a member of the United Methodist Church.
In December 2024, it was confirmed that Granger had been living in a senior care facility in Fort Worth since July 2024. Her son stated she was experiencing health challenges.
Honors and Recognition
- Kay Granger Elementary School, named after her, opened in the Northwest Independent School District in August 2007.
- Kay Granger Park is a city park in North Richland Hills, named in her honor.
- In 1993, her high school recognized her as a distinguished former student.
Images for kids
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Granger with George W. Bush and Sam Johnson
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Granger with President Donald Trump at a baseball game
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Kay Granger speaking at the 2015 Lincoln Day Dinner.
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Kay Granger campaign sign
