Representative Elijah Cummings passed away early Thursday morning at the age of 68. The Democratic Congressman had a recent medical procedure but was expected to be back to work this week. His office released a statement saying “Cummings passed away at Johns Hopkins Hospital due complications concerning longstanding health challenges.” The Baltimore Sun reports:
The chairman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee had said in a Sept. 30 statement that his doctors anticipated his return to Washington “when the House comes back into session in two weeks” and that he remained in “constant communication” with his staff and congressional colleagues.
But Cummings, a Democrat, missed two roll call votes on Tuesday, the first day back following the recess. His office declined to comment on Wednesday about his condition or when he is expected to return.
The AP quotes a statement from his widow, Maya Rockeymoore Cummings:
“Congressman Cummings was an honorable man who proudly served his district and the nation with dignity, integrity, compassion and humility. He worked until his last breath because he believed our democracy was the highest and best expression of our collective humanity and that our nation’s diversity was our promise, not our problem.”
There was no stronger advocate and no better friend than Elijah Cummings. I am heartbroken for his wonderful family and staff—please pray for them.
I will miss him dearly.
— Mark Meadows (@RepMarkMeadows) October 17, 2019
Cummings has been a key figure in the impeachment inquiry and frequent target of Donald Trump. Earlier this year the longtime Congressman accused the Trump White House of “an unprecedented level of stonewalling, delay and obstruction.” Trump took aim at Cummings back in July calling it “disgusting” and the “Worst in the USA.”
Cummings responded saying:
Mr. President, I go home to my district daily. Each morning, I wake up, and I go and fight for my neighbors. It is my constitutional duty to conduct oversight of the Executive Branch. But, it is my moral duty to fight for my constituents.
A statement the civil rights activist made during his closing remarks of the Michael Cohen hearing back in February seems appropriate to share today, “When we’re dancing with the angels, the question we’ll be asked: In 2019, what did we do to make sure we kept our democracy intact? Did we stand on the sidelines and say nothing?”
WATCH: @morningmika and @JoeNBC reflect on the life and career of “our dear friend,” the late Rep. Elijah Cummings. “He will be missed.” pic.twitter.com/r6rSZbbaec
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) October 17, 2019
We lost a giant today. Congressman Elijah Cummings was a fearless leader, a protector of democracy, and a fighter for the people of Maryland. Our world is dimmer without him in it.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) October 17, 2019
Cummings first joined Congress back in 1996.