she was elected to the house rules committee .
house democratic leader nancy pelosi said friday in a statement that she was " heartbroken by the passing of the congresswoman , " just one of several top democrats who used the term in congress .
fitzsimmons said the office ( cnn ) rep. louise m. slaughter , the first female chair of the house rules committee and one of the longest - serving democrats in congress , died friday at age 88 , her office announced .
in a statement , he says slaughter died early friday at george washington university hospital after injuring herself in a fall in her area home .
virginia butler rep. louise slaughter ( photo : provided ) rep. louise slaughter remains hospitalized after falling at her home last week , her chief of staff announced wednesday .
( ap photo j. scott applewhite ) ( associated press ) washington ( ap ) — an aide to rep. louise slaughter says the 88 - year old democratic congresswoman from upstate new york has died .
an aide to slaughter says the 88 - year old democratic congresswoman ... ( associated press ) file - in this jan. 21 , 2015 file photo , rep. louise slaughter , d - n.y. , pauses during a news conference on capitol hill in washington .
the congresswoman is tough as nails and she will bring that same spirit to this recovery , " said liam fitzsimmons , slaughter 's chief of staff . "
file - in this jan. 21 , 2015 file photo , rep. louise slaughter , d - n.y. , pauses during a news conference on capitol hill in washington .