Nita Lowey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nita Lowey
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| Chair of the House Appropriations Committee | |
| In office January 3, 2019 – January 3, 2021 |
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| Preceded by | Rodney Frelinghuysen |
| Succeeded by | Rosa DeLauro |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York |
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| In office January 3, 1989 – January 3, 2021 |
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| Preceded by | Joe DioGuardi |
| Succeeded by | Mondaire Jones |
| Constituency | 20th district (1989–1993) 18th district (1993–2013) 17th district (2013–2021) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Nita Sue Melnikoff
July 5, 1937 The Bronx, New York City, U.S. |
| Died | March 15, 2025 (aged 87) Harrison, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Stephen Lowey
(m. 1961) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Mount Holyoke College (BA) |
Nita Sue Lowey (born Melnikoff; July 5, 1937 – March 15, 2025) was an American politician. She served as a U.S. Representative for New York from 1989 to 2021. She was a member of the Democratic Party.
Lowey was also a co-leader of the New York group of representatives in Congress. Her district changed numbers over the years. It included many northern suburbs of New York City. These areas included White Plains and Tarrytown.
In 2018, Lowey made history. She became the first woman to lead the House Appropriations Committee. This committee decides how the government spends money. She announced in October 2019 that she would retire. She did not run for re-election in 2020.
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Early Life and Education
Nita Lowey was born in the Bronx, New York City, on July 5, 1937. Her parents were Beatrice and Jack Melnikoff. She was a very good student. She graduated at the top of her class from the Bronx High School of Science in 1955. Later, she earned a bachelor's degree from Mount Holyoke College.
After college, Lowey started her political career. She worked for Mario Cuomo's campaign in 1974. He was running for lieutenant governor of New York. She then worked for the state of New York for 13 years. She was an assistant secretary of state.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives
Becoming a Representative
Lowey first ran for the United States House of Representatives in 1988. She ran against the person already in office, Joe DioGuardi. Lowey won the election. Her district's number changed a few times over the years. It was the 20th, then the 18th, and finally the 17th district.
Throughout her time in Congress, Lowey represented a large part of New York City's northern suburbs. This included most of Westchester County and all of Rockland County.
Lowey thought about running for the U.S. Senate in 2000. But she decided not to when Hillary Clinton announced her own plans to run. Later, when Clinton was nominated to be Secretary of State, Lowey was considered for Clinton's Senate seat. However, Lowey said she preferred to keep her important role on the House Appropriations Committee.
Key Work in Congress
Lowey was known for supporting several important causes. She worked to improve women's health. She also cared about protecting the environment. She supported giving aid to other countries. Lowey also worked to fight AIDS and was a strong supporter of Israel.
Early in her career, Lowey helped get funding for local projects. For example, she supported dredging the Mamaroneck Harbor. This helped make the harbor deeper for boats.
Lowey was a big supporter of the Public Broadcasting Service. In the 1990s, she even appeared at a hearing with Sesame Street characters Bert and Ernie.
From 2001 to 2002, Lowey was the first woman to lead the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. This group helps elect Democrats to Congress.
In 2009, Lowey introduced a bill to help federal workers. This bill aimed to give workers at the TSA and Department of Homeland Security the right to form unions.
Lowey disagreed with parts of the Affordable Health Care for America Act.
In 2015, Lowey was disappointed that Congress did not help Puerto Rico with its money problems.
Lowey also spoke out against the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran. She believed it did not have enough safety measures. She worried it could lead to more weapons in the region. She also thought it might give Iran money to support terrorists.
When Democrats won control of the House in 2018, Lowey became the first woman to chair the House Committee on Appropriations. In 2019, she helped end a 35-day government shutdown.
On October 10, 2019, Lowey announced she would not seek re-election. This decision came after another Democrat, Mondaire Jones, announced he would challenge her.
Committee Roles
During her last term in Congress (the 116th Congress), Lowey held important roles:
- Committee on Appropriations (Chairwoman)
- Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (Chairwoman)
- As the Chairwoman of the main committee, she could also join any of its smaller subcommittees.
Other Groups She Joined
Lowey was part of several groups in Congress, including:
- Congressional Women's Caucus
- Hudson River Caucus
- United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus
- Israel Allies Caucus
- Congressional Arts Caucus
- National Eating Disorders Awareness Caucus
- Congressional Crohn's and Colitis Caucus
- Afterschool Caucuses
Personal Life
Nita Lowey was married to Stephen Lowey. He is a lawyer. They had three children and eight grandchildren.
Lowey was Jewish. She passed away from breast cancer at her home in Harrison, New York, on March 15, 2025. She was 87 years old.
See also
- List of Jewish members of the United States Congress
- Women in the United States House of Representatives
