Former Congresswoman Nita Lowey Dies at 87: A Legacy of Firsts and Fierce Advocacy

2025-03-16 18:05:34.513

Former Rep. Nita Lowey, who served New York in Congress for 32 years and made history as the first woman to chair the House Appropriations Committee, died at age 87. Her family announced her passing, which occurred at her home after a prolonged fight against metastatic breast cancer. A Democrat and close ally of Nancy Pelosi and the Clintons, Lowey was born in the Bronx in 1937. After graduating from Bronx High School of Science and Mount Holyoke College, she entered politics, first elected to Congress in 1988. Representing various parts of New York, including Westchester and Rockland counties, she served until her retirement in 2020. During her career, she championed liberal policies, notably the allergen labeling law, and clashed with President Trump over border wall funding. Tributes poured in, remembering her as a principled and powerful leader who broke barriers and served her constituents with passion.