Granger to serve as ranking member of House Appropriations Committee

Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas) is slated to become the first female ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, the House GOP steering committee announced Thursday.

Granger edged out Reps. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.) and Tom Graves (R-Ga.) in the hotly contested race for the position.

The Texas Republican currently serves as the chairwoman of the House Appropriations defense subcommittee.

{mosads}It will be the first time the Appropriations Committee, which is responsible for approving government funding, is led by two women as Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) is slated to serve as chairwoman of the powerful committee in the 116th Congress.

The steering committee’s choices for ranking members are expected to be ratified by the conference in coming days.

“It is an enormous honor to be able to serve as the Ranking Member of the Appropriations Committee.  I appreciate the vote of confidence from the Steering Committee and all of the help and support I’ve received from so many Members,” she said in a statement. 

“The hard work to reform the committee begins today.  I am looking forward to fighting for conservative values and holding the Democrats accountable in the 116th Congress.”

— Updated at 4:25 p.m.