“With great sadness, we announce that former Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey died peacefully on March 15 at the age of 87, surrounded by her loving husband, children, and grandchildren, in her home in Harrison, NY,” her family announced in the statement.

A liberal Democrat from New York, she championed women’s issues and rose to one of the most influential positions on Capitol Hill during 32 years in Congress.

A Democrat, she represented Westchester County for three decades and became the first woman to lead the powerful House Appropriations Committee.

Former Rep. Nita Lowey of County, known as a a fierce advocate in Congress for 32 years, died at age 87 after a battle with breast cancer,

Former longtime New York Rep. Nita Lowey, who served in Congress for 32 years and became the first woman to chair the House Appropriations Committee, died at 87, her family said. The Democrat – a