Members Celebrate “Texas Tough” Kay Granger

Washington D.C. – Appropriations Chairwoman Emeritus Kay Granger was celebrated this week by colleagues and staff for her historic career on the House Appropriations Committee. During the tribute, Granger’s portrait honoring her chairmanship was revealed to the public. The portrait, painted by Jeffrey Bass, is a powerful depiction of Granger's towering legacy and will hang in the Committee’s main hearing room.

House Appropriations Chairwoman Emeritus Kay Granger (R-TX) said, "It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve in the House of Representatives, particularly as a Member of the House Appropriations Committee.

"As I reflect on my time in Congress, I am deeply humbled by the faith placed in me by the people of Texas 12 to represent them in Washington and by my colleagues in the House to lead the Committee as Chairwoman.

"Above all, I am proud of what we accomplished together. Our military is stronger, our allies are supported, and fiscal responsibility is at the forefront of the national debate – none of which would have been possible without the relentless dedication and skill of this Committee, its Members, and its staff. As my time in Congress comes to an end, I feel fulfilled and depart with optimism that this chamber will continue to serve the best interests of the American people."

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) said, "Kay Granger has been a champion for Texas and a faithful public servant for the people of the 12th District for nearly three decades. She has certainly been a loyal friend to me since I came to Congress. As the first Republican woman to chair the House Appropriations Committee, she has also been a trailblazer, and a leader who has done some of the most difficult work on legislation to support our troops, honor our veterans, and meet the needs of the American people under presidents and speakers of both parties.

"As she completes her service this term as Chairwoman Emeritus, her portrait will memorialize the expertise, wisdom, and example she has set for the Committee and Members of Congress."

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) said, "Longtime friend and colleague, a tough-as-nails conservative leader, barrier breaker, and dedicated representative who has demonstrated unwavering commitment to our country and her constituents. Throughout her time in Congress, Rep. Granger has fought hard for our military and to ensure America’s strength on the world stage.

"Additionally, as the first Republican chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee, Rep. Granger worked to advance meaningful, fiscally responsible legislation to rein in wasteful Washington spending.

"Rep. Granger’s legacy of devoted service will last long after her departure. While I will miss working together to put America First and seeing her in the halls of Congress, I thank Kay for her incredible contribution to this body and wish her all the best."

House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) said, "Everyone knows the saying, ‘Nobody messes with Texas.’ Well, the same could be said of Chairwoman Kay Granger. She’s as ‘Texas Tough’ as it comes, an unwavering force evident in her nearly three decades of faithful service to our nation. As someone who’s sat at the leadership table alongside her and worked hand-in-glove on the Appropriations Committee, I can attest that she is one of the best legislators I’ve had the honor and privilege of working with. She’s fiercely fought for the people of Texas 12; she’s the definition of a defense hawk – steadfast in her commitment to ensuring our nation remains the #1 military power in the world; and she’s a conservative stalwart that masterfully negotiated Republican priorities in gridlocked government.

"Her trailblazing career was characterized by historic ‘firsts.’ She was the first woman Mayor of Fort Worth, the first Republican woman to serve in Congress in the Texas delegation, the first woman to serve on and Chair the Defense Subcommittee, and the first Republican woman to Chair the full Appropriations Committee.

"More importantly than her impressive list of accomplishments and leadership abilities, she remains a dear friend who showed me the ropes and whose invaluable wisdom I will dearly miss.

"Texas was lucky. America was luckier. Chairwoman Granger leaves behind a towering legacy of grit and grace that will continue to inspire this institution for decades to come."

House Appropriations Former Chairwoman Nita Lowey (D-NY) said, "Kay Granger has been a trusted colleague, strong leader, and honest broker for Republicans and Democrats alike. When we led the State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee, we traveled the world and worked closely in support of U.S. global leadership, diplomacy and security.

"Then as Chair and Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, we worked hand-in-hand to get the funding bills done through bipartisan compromise – sometimes disagreeing but never being disagreeable with one another, as Kay would say. Called 'the odd couple' in New York circles and 'badasses' in Texas, Kay Granger and I developed a fond friendship, and I have missed her since my own retirement.

"It was my honor to work side-by-side in the Appropriations Committee with Kay, and it is my honor now for our portraits to hang side-by-side in that same room. I hope we can continue to inspire Members of the Committee and the Congress to preserve collegiality and find the best in one another in service of public good."

House Appropriations Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) said, “We are sent here by our constituents to complete the business of the American people using our guiding principles, our faith, and our integrity, and to those ends, Congresswoman Granger is truly a model legislator. Every gavel she has held, every lectern she has stood behind, and every ceiling she has smashed through, has been on her own accord, and the product of her own dedication and determination.

"As we sat across the aisle and across the dais from one another, Congresswoman Granger and I did not always agree, but she was always an honest and forthcoming negotiator, who stood by her word and fought dearly for her constituents.

"Fort Worth should be proud to have had such a strong advocate coming to bat for them in Washington. I cannot overstate my respect and reverence for Congresswoman Granger. It has been an honor to serve with her.”

Background

Granger made a habit of making history: first as Fort Worth's first female Mayor from 1991 to 1995, then as the first Republican woman from Texas elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1996.

In Congress, Granger served on the Armed Services Committee, the Budget Committee, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and the then-Select Committee on Homeland Security.

It was in the 106th Congress that Granger was selected to serve as a Member of the House Appropriations Committee. During her twenty-five years on the funding panel, she served on eight of the twelve subcommittees.

In 2018 and subsequently in 2020, her colleagues elected her as Ranking Member of the Committee for both the 116th and 117th Congresses. She reached another milestone in 2022 when she was selected to serve as Chairwoman for the 118th Congress.

Throughout her tenure, Granger has held several leadership positions, including Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference and member of the Whip and Deputy Whip Teams. In 2014, Speaker Boehner appointed her to Chair the Republican Task Force on the Border Crisis, a role vital to Texas's interests.

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