Nita Lowey

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Nita Lowey

Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 18th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 1989–
Preceded by	Jose Serrano
Succeeded by	Incumbent

Born	July 05, 1937 (age 69) New York City, New York
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Stephen Lowey
Religion	Jewish

Nita M. Lowey (born July 5, 1937) is a politician from the U.S. state of New York.

Lowey was born Nita Sue Melnikoff in New York, New York and she graduated from Mount Holyoke College. She was first elected to the House of Representatives from the New York 20th District as a Democrat in 1988 and now serving in the 18th District (map). Her district is located in the northern suburbs of New York City and includes most of Westchester County including New Rochelle, White Plains, Scarsdale, Tarrytown, Mamaroneck, Ossining, and part of Yonkers as well as part of eastern Rockland County, including the county seat New City, Haverstraw, and Congers. She used to represent parts of Queens and the Bronx, until redistricting after the 2000 US Census created her current district.

In 2001 - 2002, Lowey was the first female chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. She is currently a member of the House Homeland Security Committee and the House Appropriations Committee. She is the Chair of the Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee.

Lowey has had a liberal voting record. A notable cause supported by her is public broadcasting, and she appeared at a congressional hearing with Sesame Street characters Bert and Ernie in support of funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Lowey hasn't had a hard time keeping her seat, being re-elected eight times.

Lowey strongly considered running for the United States Senate in 2000, but stepped aside when First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton announced her candidacy.

In 2004, Lowey received 69% of the vote against political neophyte Richard A. Hoffman, a Wall Street Investor and largely self-funded candidate who ran on a platform of opposing special interests and cutting federal taxes. Lowey emphasized her track record on homeland security issues, notably her work to reform the formula for distributing homeland security grants to states. In 2006, also against Hoffman, Lowey won with 70%.

Congresswoman Lowey has been a vocal advocate for a Security Council Resolution on the conflict in Darfur. She is responsible for the $500 million in the Emergency Spending Bill for Aid in Darfur. She is also pushing for $1.2 Billion in the next fiscal year.

Lowey received an "A" on the Drum Major Institute's 2005 Congressional Scorecard on middle-class issues.

[edit] Personal life

Nita Lowey has been married to Stephen Lowey for over 45 years. Stephen Lowey is a named partner in the law firm of Lowey, Dannenberg, Bemporad & Selinger, P.C., which is located in White Plains, NY. According to the West Corporation, his practice areas include Securities Law, Antitrust Law, and Consumer Protection. Nita and Stephen Lowey have three children, and seven grandchildren.

[edit] External links

U.S. Congresswoman Nita Lowey official House site
Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
Federal Election Commission - Nita M Lowey campaign finance reports and data
On the Issues - Nita Lowey issue positions and quotes
OpenSecrets.org - Nita M. Lowey campaign contributions
Project Vote Smart - Representative Nita M. Lowey (NY) profile
SourceWatch Congresspedia - Nita Lowey profile
Washington Post - Congress Votes Database: Nita Lowey voting record

Preceded by Joseph J. DioGuardi	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 20th congressional district 1989–1993	Succeeded by Benjamin A. Gilman
Preceded by Jose Serrano	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 18th congressional district 1993–	Succeeded by Incumbent