Nita M. Lowey, a trailblazing Democratic congresswoman who served New York for 32 years in the U.S. House of Representatives 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 a family statement obtained by local media, Lowey died from metastatic breast cancer after battling the disease for several years.
“Nita’s family was central to her life as she was to all of ours,” the statement expressed. “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, in 1937, she was raised by a homemaker mother and an accountant father. Lowey attended the Bronx High School of Science and later graduated with a degree in political science from Mount Holyoke College in 1959.
In 1961, she married Stephen Lowey, a prominent attorney. The couple, who had three children and eight grandchildren, resided in Queens, New York, where they were neighbors of the Cuomo family, before moving to Harrison in 1981.
Lowey’s political career began with her work on Mario Cuomo’s 1974 campaign for lieutenant governor of New York. She then served as an assistant secretary of state of New York for 13 years, gaining valuable political experience and building connections.
In 1988, Lowey launched her congressional career by narrowly defeating the Republican incumbent. She served 16 terms from 1989 until her retirement in 2021, representing New York’s 20th, 18th, and 17th congressional districts due to redistricting, including areas of Westchester and Rockland counties, along with parts of the Bronx and Queens.
Lowey was recognized for her legislative efforts, sponsoring over 500 bills and advocating for women’s health issues, particularly increasing funding for breast cancer research and promoting equity in medical research.
In 2019, she achieved a career milestone by becoming the first woman to chair the House Appropriations Committee, overseeing federal spending.
As chairwoman, she had notable disagreements with President Trump over border wall funding during an extended 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 improving food safety regulations and supporting legislation for clear allergen labeling on food products.
In 1995, she defended Public Television funding at an Appropriations Committee hearing using Bert and Ernie hand puppets.
After the September 11, 2001, attacks, Lowey was instrumental in securing over $20 billion in recovery funds for New York. She also played a key role in obtaining federal funding for the Tappan Zee Bridge replacement, a major infrastructure project in her district.
Lowey was an ally of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and a friend of the Clintons. She mentored many women in politics at a time when only 25 women served in the U.S. House of Representatives.
She broke new ground as the first woman to lead the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and considered a Senate run for the seat vacated by Daniel Patrick Moynihan before deferring to Hillary Clinton.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries honored Lowey, describing her as a “principled, passionate and powerful public servant.”
Lowey sponsored and cosponsored significant bills throughout her career, including the International Violence Against Women Act, the Protect Access to Birth Control Act, and The Heroes Act. She strongly advocated for international aid and U.S.-Israel relations, promoting federal funding to combat AIDS and support developing nations.
After announcing her retirement in 2019, Lowey did not seek re-election in 2020. Mondaire Jones succeeded her. She leaves a legacy as a pioneer for women in politics and a committed public servant dedicated to her constituents.
Lowey is survived by her husband, Stephen, their three children, and eight grandchildren.
