(TheProudRepublic.com) – Leaving behind a legacy intertwined with the liberal establishment and a career spent fighting for big government programs, former New York Democrat and pioneering congresswoman Nita Lowey has died at 87.
Despite serving 32 years in Congress and being a close ally of the Clintons and House Representative Nancy Pelosi, her death marks the passing of an old-school politician who was not afraid to clash with President Trump.
Lowey passed away at her home in Harrison, New York, over the weekend, surrounded by family members after battling metastatic breast cancer.
First elected in 1988, she served for over thirty years in New York’s 17th Congressional District, including Westchester and Rockland counties, before retiring in 2020.
Throughout her career, Lowey was a reliable vote for Democrat priorities and made history as the first woman to chair the powerful House Appropriations Committee.
She was known for her unwavering support of taxpayer funding for progressive causes, including public broadcasting, the National Endowment for the Arts, and liberal social programs that many conservatives have long criticized as government overreach.
Lowey’s opposition to the Trump administration was particularly evident during the border wall funding debate.
She once boldly declared, “The president is an embarrassment, and as members of Congress and as leaders of the appropriations committee, we have the responsibility to serve the people.”
Minority Leader Charles Schumer called her the ‘heart of the Hudson Valley.’
“So many stand on her shoulders and her impact continues to resonate years after her retirement. Above all else though, Congresswoman Lowey was a kind-hearted person, always putting others first and caring for their well-being,” he said.
Even while facing criticism from conservatives for her policies, Lowey maintained strong relationships within the Democrat Party.
She was part of what insiders called the “DeLoSi’s” – a powerful trio consisting of herself, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), and Nancy Pelosi.
Her family released a statement acknowledging her political life:
“A public servant in the truest sense, she was guided by the Jewish core value of ‘Tikkun Olam,’ repairing the world. She was an indefatigable fighter and worked across the aisle to deliver results for her constituents and all Americans.”
In spite of occasional bipartisan efforts, Lowey remained firmly entrenched in progressive politics.
She advocated for controversial liberal positions, including pushing for contraception coverage for federal workers in the 1990s and resisting Republican efforts to cut social spending.
Governor Kathy Hochul (D-NY) ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in Lowey’s honor. At the same time, House Democrat Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries described her as a “principled, passionate and powerful public servant.”
These tributes from fellow Democrats underscore her standing within the party establishment that has governed New York state for decades.
Lowey was married to Stephen for 64 years and is survived by her children and grandchildren.
While patriots may have disagreed with her politics, her long-standing devotion to family values in her personal life reminds us of traditional values that transcend political divisions in America.
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