Nita Lowey

Nita M. Lowey is a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives. She currently representsNew York's 18th Congressional District, located in the northern suburbs of New York City and includes most of Westchester County including New Rochelle, White Plains and Ossining, as well as part of Rockland County. She was first elected to the U.S. House in 1988 to serve New York's 20th district.

Iraq War
Lowey voted for the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that started the Iraq War.

Environmental record
For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal

Support for gun control
Lowey cosponsored H.R. 1312 (Assault Weapons Ban and Law Enforcement Protection Act of 2005) on June 17, 2005.

She also cosponsored H.R. 1022 (Assault Weapons Ban Reauthorization Act of 2007) on March 15, 2007.

National security and foreign policy
On June 21, 2007, the House considered the Department of State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2008, which as sponsored by Rep. Lowey. The bill, which funded the Department of State and various international aid programs for FY2008, passed the House 241-178.

FY2008 budget
On June 5, 2007, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations approved a measure that would allow the president, now or in the future, to waive current provisions that require one-third of all U.S. aid for HIV/AIDS prevention be spend on abstinence-only programs, opening up the possibility of funding to international family planning organizations since barred from American aid resources. President Bush would not be expected to reverse the requirements, but it would leave the option open for the next president to do so. The subcommittee's Republican members, led by ranking member Frank Wolf (R-Va.), came out against the measure, citing the president's threat to veto any legislation weakening abortion laws. Rep. Lowey, the subcommittee Chair, stated that the legislation does not violate the anti-abortion policy as it leaves the authority to the president to make the decision.

Bio
Lowey was born "Nita Sue Melnikoff" on July 5, 1937 in New York, New York and was educated at Mount Holyoke College.

Congresional career
In 2001 - 2002, Lowey was the first female chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Caucus.

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.

2006 elections
In 2006, the Republicans nominated Richard A. Hoffman to face Lowey in her November 2006 bid for reelection. Lowey retained her seat. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006)

Personal Finances
Lowey lives in a home valued at $2,170,000 while the median value of homes in her district is $346,500. 

Money in politics
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Committees and Affiliations

 * Congressional Advisory Board, Humpty Dumpty Institute

Committees in the 110th Congress (2007-2008)

 * House Committee on Appropriations
 * Subcommittee on State-Foreign Operations -Ranking
 * Subcommittee on Homeland Security
 * Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education
 * Subcommittee on Select Intelligence Oversight Panel
 * House Committee on Homeland Security
 * Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response

Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

 * House Committee on Appropriations
 * Subcommittee on Foreign Operations Export Financing and Related Programs - Ranking Minority Member
 * Subcommittee on Labor Health and Human Services Education and Related Agencies
 * House Committee on Homeland Security
 * Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness Science and Technology
 * Subcommittee on Intelligence Information Sharing and Terrorism Risk Assessment

Articles

 * Gur, O Congress Person, Where Art Thou? "Room Eight", May 9, 2006.
 * Gur, "The Phattest Bubble You've Ever Seen?" Room Eight, May 12, 2006.
 * Gur, "What Part Of "You Will Pimp My Pay to $168K" Did You Not Understand?", Room Eight, June 30, 2006.
 * Congressional Wire, "Earth to Congress - Come In!", Room Eight, July 11, 2006.
 * Gur, "Why Bother?", Room Eight, July 12, 2006.
 * Angela Burton, "NY Control In a Democratic House," Room Eight, November 6, 2006.

Resources

 * Official website
 * Campaign website
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Room Eight
 * Simply Left Behind