In Tragedy, Elijah Cummings Dies At 68
House Oversight chair Elijah Cummings died on Thursday morning at Gilchrist Hospice Care, a Johns Hopkins affiliate, at approximately 2:45 A.M.
His death is attributed to "complications concerning longstanding health challenges". Cummings had recently undergone an unspecified medical procedure and hadn't returned to his office this week.
He was 68.
The news will be received with an outpouring of grief on Capitol Hill and certainly in his district.
The congressman rose to national prominence
I grew up in small town in Kansas. Whenever anyone passed away in that area, everyone knew about it. As was expected, only family and friends attended the funeral.
But the thing is: Whenever the hearse carrying the casket came down main street on its way to the final resting place, everyone who lived in town, and almost everyone who didn’t live in town made it a point to come into town – and everyone stood on each side of the street as the hearse passed – men took off their hats, and women and children all stood in reverence (and silence) until the hearse passed by.
Yes, there were those who loved the deceased, many who had an axe to grind with them, and most were indifferent because they never really knew them – but at least everyone took the time to acknowledge the person’s life, even if it was only for a moment.
Mr. Heisenberg – thank you, too, for taking the time.
Pelosi had some very uplifting things to say a few moments ago……and now she is going right back to work on the new budget and a couple of trade agreements.
RIP!
Carolyn Maloney to be acting chairwoman of Oversight panel as succession sorted out
Maloney, a New York Democrat who also serves as the vice chairwoman of the Joint Economic Committee, had seniority over Cummings when Democrats took control of the House after the 2018 midterm elections.
But Cummings’ extensive work on the Oversight panel and status as ranking member since 2010 – when he beat Maloney in a caucus-wide vote – gave him the inside track to take the gavel in January.