Nita Lowey, the New York representative who became the first woman to lead the budget-setting House Appropriations Committee, has died. She was 87. Lowey died Saturday at her home in Harrison, her family said Sunday in a statement. She had been battling breast cancer for several years.

Nita Lowey, a powerful member of Congress for decades while representing parts of downstate New York, has died. She was 87. Lowey, who represented much of Westchester as well as Rockland County, died on Saturday,