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Kay Granger’s historic career on the House Appropriations Committee was honored on Tuesday during a tribute in Washington that included the unveiling of her portrait in the committee chambers.
The portrait, painted by Jeffrey Bass, will hang in the committee’s main hearing room for posterity.
Granger was elected to the House in 1997 to succeed Pete Geren, who declined to run for reelection after four terms representing Texas’ District 12.
Granger, the first Republican woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas, became the first woman from her party to chair the powerful appropriations committee.
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She was the fourth Texan in history to chair the committee, following Joseph Sayers, who went on to succeed Charles Culberson as governor in 1899; James P. Buchanan, the predecessor to Lyndon Johnson in the House; and George Mahon.
"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,” Granger said.
"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."
Granger announced last year that she would not seek another term. Earlier this month, Craig Goldman, a Republican who served in the Texas House of Representatives, was elected to succeed her.
After announcing that she would not run, Granger also stepped down as chair. Tom Cole of Oklahoma took over the role. Granger became chairwoman emeritus.
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Goldman was in attendance for the tribute as was Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker and Councilman Michael Crain, a former Granger staffer. Ross Perot Jr. and Mike Berry of Hillwood were there, too. Newly elected state Rep. John McQueeney, who will succeed Goldman in District 97, was on hand.
More than 20 members of the House and Senate were there to recognize Granger's capacity and willingness to work across the aisle to advance legislation. Music legend Bono, of U2, even participated with a video tribute thanking Granger for her work on behalf of U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief — PEPFAR — initiated under the administration of President George W. Bush.
Granger served with five presidents — Bill Clinton, Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden.
She served under seven speakers of the house — Newt Gingrich (Georgia), Dennis Hastert (Illinois), Nancy Pelosi (California), John Boehner (Ohio), Paul Ryan (Wisconsin), Kevin McCarthy (California), and Mike Johnson (Louisiana).
“Kay Granger has been a champion for Texas and a faithful public servant for the people of the 12th district for nearly three decades,” Johnson said during the tribute. “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."
Portraits of committee chairmen and chairwomen are a rite of passage in the House. The tradition dates to 1891 and the first chairman portrait depicts James Garfield, the first person to move directly from the House of Representatives to the presidency, to mark his tenure as head of the Appropriations Committee.
In addition to the House, Bass, the painter, has works displayed in the Smithsonian, the Central Intelligence Agency, the National World War II Museum, the National Naval Aviation Museum, the Reagan Presidential Library and Museum and the Hoover Institute, among others.
Dignitaries he has painted include President George H.W. Bush and former Secretary of State George Shultz.
Granger was the fifth person elected to represent District 12 in the last 100 years, succeeding Fritz Lanham, Wingate Lucas, Jim Wright, and Geren.
Granger has served on the Armed Services Committee, the Budget Committee, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and the then-Select Committee on Homeland Security.
She has held several leadership positions, including vice chair of the House Republican Conference and member of the whip and deputy whip teams. In 2014, Boehner appointed her to chair the Republican Task Force on the Border Crisis.
She has served on the Appropriations Committee for 25 years and served on eight of the 12 subcommittees.
In 2018 and 2020, colleagues elected her as ranking member of the committee. In 2022, she became chair.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana) called Granger a tough-as-nails conservative leader, barrier breaker, and dedicated representative who has demonstrated unwavering commitment to our country and her constituents.”
“Rep. Granger’s legacy of devoted service will last long after her departure,” Scalise said. “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."