Nita M. Lowey, a trailblazing Democratic congresswoman who represented New York in Congress for 32 years and became the first woman to chair the influential House Appropriations Committee, passed away on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at her residence in Harrison, New York. She was 87 years old.

According to her family, Lowey succumbed to metastatic breast cancer after a prolonged battle.

“Nita’s family was central to her life as she was to all of ours,” the statement said. “We will miss her more than words can say and take great comfort in knowing that she lived a full and purposeful life.”

Born Nita Sue Melnikoff in the Bronx, New York City in 1937, Lowey was the daughter of a homemaker and an accountant. She attended the Bronx High School of Science and graduated from Mount Holyoke College in 1959 with a degree in political science.

She married attorney Stephen Lowey in 1961. The couple, who had three children and eight grandchildren, initially lived in Queens, New York City, where they were neighbors of the Cuomo family, before moving to Harrison in 1981.

Prior to her tenure in Congress, Lowey worked on Mario Cuomo’s 1974 campaign for lieutenant governor of New York and later served as an assistant secretary of state of New York for 13 years, where she honed her political skills.

Lowey’s congressional journey began in 1988 when she narrowly defeated a Republican incumbent. She served 16 terms from 1989 until her retirement in 2021, representing New York’s 20th, 18th, and 17th congressional districts, which included areas of Westchester and Rockland counties and parts of the Bronx and Queens, due to redistricting.

Lowey was recognized as a diligent legislator, sponsoring over 500 bills. She was a strong advocate for women’s health, promoting increased breast cancer research funding and equity in medical research.

In 2019, Lowey made history by becoming the first woman to chair the House Appropriations Committee, a vital role with oversight of federal expenditures.

During her chairmanship, she clashed with President Trump over funding for a border wall amid a prolonged government shutdown. In 2019, after announcing her retirement, Lowey told local media: “The president is an embarrassment and as a member of the Congress and as the leader of the appropriations committee, we have the responsibility to serve the people.”

Beyond women’s health, Lowey focused on enhancing food safety regulations, advocating for legislation requiring clear allergen labeling on food products.

In 1995, she notably defended Public Television funding at an Appropriations Committee hearing by using Bert and Ernie hand puppets.

Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, Lowey played a pivotal role in securing over $20 billion for New York’s recovery. She was also instrumental in obtaining federal funds for the Tappan Zee Bridge replacement, a key infrastructure project in her district.

Lowey was a close associate of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and maintained friendships with the Clintons. She was considered a mentor to many women in politics, having been one of only 25 women in the U.S. House of Representatives when she first entered.

She broke new ground as the first woman to lead the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and once considered running for the Senate seat vacated by Daniel Patrick Moynihan before deferring to Hillary Clinton.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries paid tribute to Lowey, describing her as a “principled, passionate and powerful public servant.”

Throughout her career, Lowey sponsored and co-sponsored numerous significant bills, including the International Violence Against Women Act, the Protect Access to Birth Control Act, and The Heroes Act. She was a dedicated advocate for international aid and U.S.-Israel relations, promoting federal funding to combat AIDS and assist developing nations economically.

Announcing her retirement in 2019, Lowey chose not to seek re-election in 2020 and was succeeded by Mondaire Jones. She is remembered as a pioneer for women in politics and a committed public servant devoted to her constituents’ welfare.

Lowey is survived by her husband Stephen, their three children, and eight grandchildren.