Embedded Files
Kay was born in Greenville, Texas on January 18, 1943. All throughout her younger years, she attended public schools and eventually went on to attend Texas Wesleyan University to study education. Her mother was a significant role model in her life, demonstrating herself as a strong-willed woman in her position as principal of the Birdville Independent School District, as well as teaching Kay the importance of service.
Granger initially started her occupational career as a literature and journalism teacher, but became restless, and decided to become an owner of a small insurance agency before entering the world of politics. During her transition from teacher to businesswoman, Granger divorced her husband and started to raise her three children as a single mother. In various interviews, Granger discusses the difficulties she faced as a single mother earning just $13,000 a year while raising three children under the age of five. She also took care of her mother after suffering a stroke and leaving her bedridden. Her difficult familial experiences led her to possess a steadfast position in her beliefs.
In 1991, she was elected as the first female Mayor of Forth Worth, and during this time, she reduced crime across the city by 50%. When Granger is not in the House of Government, she is in the House of the Lord, as an avid member of the First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth. To free herself from the stress of living, she paints fervently.
According to her colleagues in the House, she is known to possess superior preparation and organizational skills, and members across the aisle say that she is one of the more tolerable in negotiations. They also say they would "never call her warm and fuzzy."
Kay discussing her time at Texas Wesleyan University.
Previous Experience:
Before becoming a U.S. Representative, Granger acted as Mayor of Fort Worth from 1991 to 1995. She brought about economic growth and developed crime-fighting reforms during her time in the office. Fort Worth was facing economic hardship at the beginning of her term, but Granger managed to pull the city out of the slump. Prior to her time as mayor, Granger was a member of the city council of Fort Worth from 1989 to 1991. She was also a member of the Zoning Commission from 1981 to 1989.
Committee/Subcommittee Assignments
Committee/Subcommittee Assignments
Having spent nearly three decades in her position (27 years, for those who are wondering), Kay has amassed quite a list of committee and subcommittee assignments that she can list underneath her name. Since 2019, Kay has been either Chairman (2023-2024) or a Ranking Member of the House Committee on Appropriations (2019-2022). This committee is tasked with managing all of the expenditures of the U.S. Government. Her previous experience as an insurance company owner and her seniority contribute to her positioning on this committee.
Since Granger has a very long list of assignments, only the most recent terms and assignments will be listed. They are as follows:
2011-2012:
Appropriations Committee
Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs: Chairman
Subcommittee on Defense Appropriations
Subcommittee of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education
2013-2014:
Appropriations Committee
Subcommittee on Defense
Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations: Chairman
Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development
2015-2016:
Appropriations Committee
Subcommittee on Defense
Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies
Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs: Chairman
Heritage Action for America is a conservative policy advocacy think tank/interest group that promotes conservative policies in both D.C. and at the state level. They provide scores for how well representatives align and vote with the political views they claim to hold. Granger has been given a lifetime score of 79%, as she primarily votes along party lines, with the exception of a few bills.
Two recent bills where Granger voted in opposition to Heritage Action are the Debt Ceiling Suspension Agreement (H.R. 3746) and the Conference Report to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24 NDAA). The Heritage Action found that the debt ceiling bill would allow Biden and the rest of Congress to continue to accumulate an additional $4 trillion in national debt. As part of conservative ideology, Heritage Action affirms budget cuts and minimizing the possibility of debt ceilings. Granger voted in favor of this bill, going against the traditional Republican stance. However, this decision was more than likely completed with the consideration of a possible government shutdown looming overhead. Occasionally, Granger has to decide between making the best decision for the current circumstances or representing her position as a Republican accurately. The think tank also considered the conference report to be against conservative beliefs, as they argue the report undermines the integrity of the U.S. military. Granger voted yes, which opposes her Republican beliefs of a strong military and traditional values.
Notable Sponsoring/Co-sponsoring Legislation
Notable Sponsoring/Co-sponsoring Legislation
Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act: Granger co-sponsored this act that would prohibit schools from allowing individuals who were assigned as biological men at birth to participate in female athletics. It recognizes that allowing biological men to play in female athletics would violate Title IX of the Education Amendments in 1972. This bill was introduced to the House on 02/01/23 and passed the House on 4/20/23. The bill has yet to make any movement forward since its passing in the House.
Granger has sponsored several bills related to children's health, education, and cancer/disease awareness, however, none of these bills have passed the introductory phase.
Controversy
Controversy
Kay initially declared herself a "pro-choice" Republican during her early years in office but has since changed her stance. In 2020, Granger, along with 200 other House Republicans, signed an amicus curiae to the Supreme Court to encourage the overturning of Roe V. Wade. Granger's decision is highly contested as her 1996 campaign was endorsed by The WISH List, a pro-abortion political action committee (PAC). Up until 2018, she supported bills and programs that would fund organizations like Planned Parenthood, but has also voted in bills during the same year to ban abortion except for rape, incest, or if the birth is a danger to the mother. It seems as though the emergence of Donald Trump and populist politics from the Republican party led to Granger holding more traditionally Republican views to ensure continual support.
Granger has also supported contentious bills such as banning the desecration of the American flag.
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