Folks, I almost spilled my coffee reading this one. Kay Granger, the first Republican woman from Texas to be elected to the US House of Representatives, has passed away at the age of 83. I’m not sure what’s more impressive, her age or the fact that she managed to put up with all the drama in Washington for nearly three decades. Her son J.D. Granger announced her passing, and I’m sure he’s still trying to process the fact that his mom was a total rockstar in the political world.
House Speaker Mike Johnson is already singing her praises, saying she “broke barriers for women in public service” and was a “dear friend who will be greatly missed.” I’m not surprised, considering she was a total trailblazer. I mean, the woman was the first female mayor of Fort Worth, Texas, and the first Republican woman to chair the House Appropriations Committee. Talk about a boss.
Granger started her career as a high school teacher and businesswoman, because why not? She was clearly a woman of many talents. And then she decided to get into politics, because she apparently enjoyed punishment. Just kidding, she was actually really good at it. She served on the Fort Worth zoning commission, city council, and eventually became the city’s first female mayor. I’m exhausted just reading about her accomplishments.
Granger’s “Code: Blue” programs were pretty impressive, too. She managed to halve the crime rate in Fort Worth and drew major businesses to the city. I’m not sure what kind of magic she used, but I’m pretty sure it involved a lot of hard work and determination. And in 1996, she was recruited by both parties to run for the House, because who wouldn’t want her on their team? She won as a Republican, of course, and went on to become a total powerhouse in Congress.
When she entered Congress, she was named to an advisory board that consulted then-House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Because, why not? She was already a rockstar. And then she got seats on three committees: Budget, House Oversight, and Transportation and Infrastructure. I’m starting to think she was a glutton for punishment, but hey, someone’s gotta do it. She eventually resigned those assignments to join the Appropriations Committee, where she focused on defense spending and championed the production of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter in Fort Worth.
As the chair of the Appropriations Committee, Granger sought to enact steeper non-defense spending cuts than the top-line numbers House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and President Joe Biden agreed to. Because, you know, someone’s gotta keep those guys in check. I’m not sure what the future holds for the committee, but I’m pretty sure Granger’s legacy will live on.
In conclusion, Kay Granger was a total force to be reckoned with, and her passing is a loss for the political world. But hey, at least she’s no longer stuck in Washington dealing with all the drama. As I always say, you can’t make this stuff up, and Granger’s life was definitely a wild ride. So here’s to her: may she rest in peace, and may her legacy continue to inspire future generations of politicians. And to her family, I say: bless their hearts, they must be exhausted from keeping up with her all these years.
Armchair patriot. Believes in the free market, cold beer, and that there’s always a guy named George behind every CNN segment.
Former remote-throwing champion turned #1 couch commentator on liberal panic in the media. Born in Texas (or so his mug says), he earned a degree in Fake Newsology & Beer Philosophy from YouTube University.
