Popular House Republican Trailblazer Dies: ‘Broke Barriers’
As the midterm election season intensifies and lawmakers scramble to position themselves on a flood of high-stakes legislation, Congress has been unusually active recently.
Amid that swirl of political maneuvering, the Republican conference and the broader nation paused Sunday to mourn the loss of one of its most steadfast and trailblazing members.
Former Rep. Kay Granger, R-Texas, the first Republican woman elected to Congress from Texas and the first Republican woman to lead the powerful House Appropriations Committee, has died at the age of 83.
Her son, J.D. Granger, confirmed her death. A cause was not immediately released, though Granger had acknowledged experiencing “unforeseen health challenges” during the final months of her congressional career.
Her family later revealed that dementia-related issues contributed to her absence from Washington for much of 2024.
Granger’s death prompted an outpouring of tributes from Republican leaders and Texas officials, who highlighted her nearly three decades of public service and her role as a trailblazer for women in politics.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., called Granger a close friend and praised her lifetime of service to Fort Worth, Texas, and the nation.
“Kay Granger devoted her life to serving her Fort Worth, Texas community — as a teacher and businesswoman, on the Fort Worth Zoning Commission and City Council, as Mayor, and in Congress for nearly three decades, where she also served as Chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee,” Johnson wrote on X.
Johnson noted that Granger broke several barriers throughout her career, becoming the first woman to serve as mayor of Fort Worth, the first Republican woman elected to represent Texas in the House, and the first Republican woman to chair the Appropriations Committee.
“Throughout her career, she broke barriers for women in public service,” Johnson wrote, offering condolences to Granger’s family and the Fort Worth community.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, also honored Granger’s legacy, describing her as a leader who dedicated decades to North Texas, the military, and national defense.
“For nearly three decades, she championed North Texas, our Armed Forces, and a strong national defense,” Cruz said.
Rep. Craig Goldman, R-Texas, who succeeded Granger in the 12th Congressional District, called her a legend who transformed the community she represented.
“Kay will be greatly missed, but her incredible legacy will not be forgotten,” Goldman said.
Born Norvell Kay Granger on Jan. 18, 1943, in Greenville, Texas, Granger grew up in Fort Worth and graduated from Eastern Hills High School before earning a degree from Texas Wesleyan University in 1965.
Before entering politics, she worked as a high school teacher and later built a successful small business in the insurance industry. After becoming a single mother following her divorce, she raised three children while pursuing a career in public service.
Granger began her political career on the Fort Worth Zoning Commission, serving from 1981 to 1989, before joining the City Council. In 1991, she became the first woman elected mayor of Fort Worth, serving until 1995.
During her tenure as mayor, Granger focused on economic development and public safety initiatives, including efforts aimed at reducing crime and improving the city’s growth.
She was elected to Congress in 1996 and represented Texas’s 12th District for 14 terms, serving from 1997 until her retirement in January 2025.
In Washington, Granger built a reputation as a conservative lawmaker focused on fiscal issues, national security, and constituent services. She spent 25 years on the House Appropriations Committee, eventually rising to become chairwoman after Republicans regained control of the House in 2023.
She stepped down from the chairmanship in April 2024.
Among Granger’s most significant legislative priorities was strengthening the nation’s military capabilities and supporting Fort Worth’s defense industry.
As the first woman to serve as chairwoman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, she became a leading advocate for the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet program produced by Lockheed Martin in her district.
In 2023, Granger announced she would not seek reelection, saying she wanted to complete her final term while continuing to serve her constituents.
BREAKING: Dolly Parton’s Cause Of Death Revealed: ‘Brief Battle’
Dolly Parton’s death came after a brief battle with cancer, her representatives revealed Tuesday.
The country music legend died Aug. 25 at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville. She was 80.
Parton had been admitted to the cancer center Friday, four days before her death. Her representatives confirmed the cancer diagnosis in a statement to PEOPLE but did not disclose what type she had.
“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand,” the statement read.
“Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact. After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones,” the statement concluded.
The “Jolene” singer had also been dealing with kidney and autoimmune issues before her death, PEOPLE previously reported.
Just days earlier, Dolly Parton opened up about her declining health and acknowledged that she had put off addressing some medical issues while caring for her husband, Carl.
“As I’ve shared in video messages throughout the past year, I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over [my husband] Carl. You know, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to manage something like this. Back in the early ’80s, I was down for several months with female issues, and I was struggling with my weight at the time too, so it’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health,” Parton told PEOPLE.
Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her death in an Instagram video Tuesday on behalf of the Parton and Owens family.
“My name is Bryan Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next,” he says in the video.
Seaver, who served as Parton’s head of security for more than two decades, said she had asked him years earlier to deliver the announcement.
“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,” he continued. “As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now.”
Seaver said the moment brought immense pride and heartbreak, but he took comfort in his faith that Parton had been reunited with Carl and other loved ones.
Seaver added: “It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless othe
Shocking 'truth' behind Prince Harry's decision to quit major role
Prince Harry should have "resigned in disgrace" from the board of a controversial African wildlife charity, a commentator says. James Walker makes the bombshell remark in Wednesday's episode of this publication's podcast, Daily Expresso.
He and the show's host, JJ Anisiobi, delve into the Duke of Sussex's dramatic decision to step down from African Parks. James, commenting on the controversy, said: "When you hear about this stuff and how long it's been going on for, you should be resigning in disgrace. [Harry] should be saying: 'I'm not touching that with a barge pole. That is a failed entity. We're going nowhere near it'.
"But no. He's still saying he's going to 'support their mission'. And again this Caroline Pearce, executive director of Survival International, goes on to say: 'His departure doesn't undo that record'.
"She alleged that African Parks was aware of the abuses for years, but it was only after Survival complained to Harry that the charity finally commissioned an investigation."
James added: "Well, she's got a point."
It emerged on Monday (August 24) that Harry was no longer a board member of the wildlife charity.
The conservation organisation has admitted that human rights abuses were committed by its rangers against members of the semi-nomadic Baka group in Congo-Brazzaville.
African Parks has said since that it has improved its safeguarding processes both in the Odzala-Kokoua National Park and institutionally.
Its admission followed an independent human rights investigation into allegations guards managed and paid by the charity had beaten, raped and tortured indigenous people in Odzala-Kokoua National Park.
Harry was president of the charity for six years before he became a member of its board of directors in 2023.
A spokesman for the Duke said he remains an active and avid supporter of African Parks. He added: "The Duke is proud of his 10 years with African Parks and fully supports the ongoing strengthening of its board.
"His commitment to conservation in Africa continues and he remains a supporter of African Parks’ mission."
Human rights organisation, Survival International, said it had been calling on Harry to step down from African Parks for years.
The group's director, Caroline Pearce, said in a statement: "It’s outrageous that for 10 years Prince Harry has served African Parks while the organisation has been responsible for abuse and violence against Indigenous people.
"His departure doesn't undo that record — African Parks itself must now be held accountable, and must abandon this model of fortress conservation for good."
Survival International said indigenous peoples know how best to manage their land and the idea outsiders know better is racist and colonial.
