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.

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,

"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 grandchildre