"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

The New York Democrat sponsored more than 500 pieces of legislation and co-sponsored thousands more, with more than 400 becoming law, often by dint of her seniority and leadership positions.

Former U.S. Rep. Nita Lowey, a long serving New York Democrat who was the first woman to chair the powerful House Appropriations Committee, has died. She was 87. Lowey's family, in a statement shared by the Westchester County Democratic Committee,

Former Democratic New York Rep. Nita Lowey died on Saturday after a yearslong battle with breast cancer, according to a statement from the longtime lawmaker's family.