Jewish Members of Congress: Nita Lowey (Representative, New York)
Elected in 1988, Representative Nita Lowey represents New York's 18th district. Congressional Quarterly has named her one of the fifty most effective Members of Congress. In 2001, Lowey was the first woman to chair the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. In Congress, Lowey has been a leading advocate on a broad range of domestic and human rights issues. She is largely credited with preventing Republicans from shutting down the Public Broadcasting System in the mid 1990's by bringing Sesame Street characters Bert and Ernie to a congressional hearing. Lowey authored the first bill to mandate food manufacturers list common allergens on their labels. She is responsible for the 500 million dollar aid package to Darfur and has continued to push further U.S. action in the region. Lowey is also a leading supporter of a strong U.S.-Israel relationship and continuously pushes for U.S. aid to Israel. She currently serves on the Appropriations Committee and Homeland Security Committee. Lowey lives in Harrison, New York with her husband Stephen Lowey. They have three children and eight grandchildren.
For more information on Representative Lowey, please visit http://lowey.house.gov/?sectionid=2§iontree=2.
