30 Facts About Kay Granger

Early Life and Education

Kay Granger's journey began in Texas, where she laid the foundation for her future in public service.

1. Early Life and Education: Born Norvell Kay Mullendore on January 18, 1943, in Greenville, Texas, she grew up in Fort Worth. She graduated from Eastern Hills High School in 1961 and Texas Wesleyan University in 1965.

2. Career Beginnings: Before politics, Granger worked as a high school teacher and later owned a small business. These roles gave her valuable experience in education and business.

Local Governance and Mayorship

Granger's first steps into politics were at the local level, where she made significant impacts.

3. Fort Worth Zoning Commission: Elected to the Fort Worth City Council in 1989, she also served on the zoning commission, gaining insights into local governance.

4. First Female Mayor of Fort Worth: In 1991, she became the first female mayor of Fort Worth, serving until 1995. Her tenure saw rapid economic growth and innovative crime-fighting reforms.

5. All-America City Award: Under her leadership, Fort Worth received the All-America City Award from the National Civic League, recognizing her community development efforts.

6. Joint Reserve Base: Granger played a key role in establishing America’s first-ever Joint Reserve Base in Fort Worth, securing the military base and boosting local economic activity.

U.S. House of Representatives

Granger's political career took a significant turn when she entered national politics.

7. U.S. House of Representatives: In 1996, she won the election for Texas's 12th congressional district, becoming the first Republican woman to represent Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives.

8. Reelections: Granger has been reelected multiple times, including a notable victory in 1998 and 2008, where she secured 67% of the vote against Democratic nominee Tracey Smith.

Committee Assignments and Leadership Roles

Granger's influence grew as she took on various roles within Congress.

9. Committee Assignments: She has served on the House Appropriations Committee, the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, and the State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee.

10. Chairwoman of Defense Appropriations Subcommittee: Granger was the first woman to chair this subcommittee, focusing on strengthening America’s military and supporting service members.

11. Chairwoman of State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee: She emphasized transparency in the State Department and diplomatic community, including investigations into the Benghazi attack.

12. Special Task Force on Border Crisis: In 2014, Granger led a task force addressing the crisis of 60,000 migrant children displaced along the Southern border.

Key Policy Positions and Legislative Actions

Granger has taken notable stances on various issues throughout her career.

13. U.S.-Israel Relationship: A strong supporter of the U.S.-Israel relationship, she played a key role in funding the current Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries.

14. NASA Supporter: Granger champions NASA and U.S. dominance in space exploration, recognized for her support of NASA's initiatives.

15. Constitutional Votes: Her lifetime score on constitutional votes is 53%, with varying scores in different congresses ranging from 30% to 83%.

16. Fiscal Responsibility: As a fiscal conservative, she has advocated for Republican priorities and fiscal responsibility, working closely with House leadership, the Senate, and the White House.

17. Earmarks for Infrastructure Projects: Granger supported over $50 million in earmarks for infrastructure projects in Fort Worth, benefiting the Trinity River Vision Authority.

Evolving Stances on Social Issues

Granger's positions on social issues have evolved over time.

18. Abortion Reversal: Initially supported by pro-abortion rights PACs, she later supported banning abortion after 20 weeks but has also voted for spending bills that included funding for Planned Parenthood.

19. Embryonic Stem-Cell Research: Granger has supported embryonic stem-cell research and voted against banning chemically induced abortions.

National Defense and Foreign Policy

Granger has been active in shaping U.S. defense and foreign policy.

20. National Defense Authorization Act: In 2013, she voted for an amendment to restrict the Pentagon from entering into new contracts with Russia's state arms broker, Rosoboronexport.

21. Russian Officials Meeting: In 2018, she was part of a group of Republicans who met with Russian officials before Trump's summit with Vladimir Putin.

Relationship with Trump and COVID-19

Granger's relationship with Trump and her actions during the COVID-19 pandemic have been notable.

22. Trump Endorsement: Despite initially opposing Trump's candidacy in 2015, she endorsed him in 2020 and received his endorsement.

23. COVID-19 and Impeachment: Diagnosed with COVID-19, she missed Trump's second impeachment vote but stated her opposition to impeachment.

Recent Leadership Roles

Granger continues to hold significant leadership positions within Congress.

24. Committee Chairmanship: In 2022, she was elected Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee in the 118th Congress, a position she has held since 2023.

25. Leadership Roles: Granger has held various leadership roles within the Republican Party, including Conference Vice Chair and House Deputy Whip.

Political Ideology and Ratings

Granger's political ideology reflects a balance between conservative and moderate stances.

26. Socially Centrist but Fiscally Conservative: Described as socially centrist but fiscally conservative, her voting record often aligns with conservative fiscal policies while taking moderate stances on social issues.

27. Conservative Ratings: Heritage Action gave her a 59% conservative score during the 115th Congress and a 57% lifetime score. The American Conservative Union gave her an 83% lifetime rating.

28. Liberal PAC Ratings: Americans for Democratic Action gave her a 15% rating, indicating her generally conservative voting record.

29. Political Ideology Score: The National Journal gave her a composite political ideology score of 73% conservative and 27% liberal in 2013.

Personal Life and Interests

Outside of politics, Granger has a rich personal life and diverse interests.

30. Family and Personal Life: A member of the First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth, she is a proud mother of three and grandmother of five. In her spare time, she enjoys being with her family and is an avid painter.

Kay Granger's Legacy

Kay Granger's career is a testament to her dedication and impact. From her early days as a teacher and business owner to becoming the first female mayor of Fort Worth, she has consistently broken barriers. Her tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives, starting in 1997, showcases her commitment to fiscal responsibility, national defense, and local infrastructure. Granger's leadership on various committees, especially the House Appropriations Committee, highlights her influence in shaping policy. Her evolving stance on issues like abortion and her support for NASA and the U.S.-Israel relationship reflect her complex political journey. As a mother, grandmother, and avid painter, Granger balances her personal life with her public service. Her legacy continues to inspire and shape future generations, making her a notable figure in American politics.