Former U.S. Representative Kay Granger, a Texas Republican who served for nearly three decades and was a staunch supporter of Israel, has died. She was 83. Her family confirmed her death on August 9, 2026, but did not provide a cause.
Granger, the first female mayor of Fort Worth, served in the U.S. House from 1997 until her retirement in January 2025. She was the first Republican woman to represent Texas in Congress.
During her tenure, she chaired the House Appropriations Committee's State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee, where she was known for her strong advocacy for military aid to Israel. She also served as the first woman to chair the full House Appropriations Committee, a position she held from 2023 until her retirement.
Her office announced in late 2024 that she had been experiencing health issues, which led to her decision not to seek re-election. She was a member of the Republican Party and a close ally of former President Donald Trump on many issues.
Granger's death was met with tributes from both sides of the aisle, with colleagues remembering her as a dedicated public servant and a trailblazer for women in politics.
