NEW YORK, Aug 2 (Reuters) - Kay Granger, a Texas Republican who was the first woman from her party ‌to chair the U.S. House of Representatives' powerful Appropriations ‌Committee, has died, her son J.D. Kay Granger in 2024 said she was battling "unforeseen health challenges." In 2023, Granger announced ‌she would not seek ⁠re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives. House Speaker Mike ​Johnson praised Granger as a ‌trailblazer. She was the first Republican ‌woman to lead the budget panel, ​although two Democratic women, Representatives Nita ​Lowey and Rosa DeLauro, ​preceded Granger in the role.