Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland died early this morning, October 17th, at the age of 68 in Baltimore.
The long-serving Democratic congressman’s office released a statement saying he died at Johns Hopkins Hospital at 2: 45 a.m. Thursday from “complications concerning longstanding health challenges,” reports The Root.
Cummings had served in the House of Representatives since 1996, and was chair of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, the powerful main investigative committee of the House that is one of three House panels heading the impeachment inquiry into Donald Trump. The committee will continue to investigate whether Trump used his presidential power to pressure Ukraine’s president to help him scandalize Joe Biden, a potential rival for the 2020 Presidential Election.
Cummings also served as chair of the Congressional Black Caucus from 2003 to 2004.
He is survived by his wife Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, a political scientist who is the chair of the Maryland Democratic Party, and three children.
Cummings’s death came as a surprise to many who were unaware of his health issues. Some took to social media to express their condolences.
The House has lost our North Star. Chairman Elijah Cummings was a leader of towering character & integrity. His wisdom, his warm friendship and his great humanity will be deeply missed. Rest in peace, my friend. https://t.co/WP0830KCkV pic.twitter.com/Hx8RFIWFPC
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) October 17, 2019
https://www.instagram.com/p/B3tv33PBz-U
Sincere condolences to the family of #Maryland Rep. #ElijahCummings. He was awesome. Rest in power. https://t.co/rXmmkmgN3o
— Rickey Smiley (@RickeySmiley) October 17, 2019
https://twitter.com/ava/status/1184891447318700035
The American people have lost a great leader at a time of crisis in our democracy. Chairman Elijah Cummings gave all he had. He dedicated his entire life to serving the public good. https://t.co/g54fqjRaZH
— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) October 17, 2019
Can I just say this about the “son of a sharecropper” descriptor that keeps showing up re #elijahcummings: That is now just a marker of his extraordinary achievement, but an absolute indictment of America. Sharecropping was slavery by another name – debt slavery. #NotLongAgo
— Charles M. Blow (@CharlesMBlow) October 17, 2019
Love to the family and friends and constituents of the great Elijah Cummings. What a life. What a career. He worked on behalf of the people with integrity, tenacity and intelligence. The entire nation will miss his irreplaceable voice.
— John Legend (@johnlegend) October 17, 2019
When I represented the last national-security whistleblower in Supreme Court, Elijah Cummings filed this statement of support for whistleblowers–joined by Senator Chuck Grassley+Rep.Darryl Issa&others
Today's Ukraine revelations confirm everything w/blower said. Where are they? pic.twitter.com/pXfIt2VPzi
— Neal Katyal (@neal_katyal) October 17, 2019
Chairman #ElijahCummings first words on House floor:
“I only have a minute, only 60 seconds in it. Forced upon me, I didn’t choose it, but I know that I must use it. Give account if I abuse it, suffer if I lose it.Only a tiny little minute, but eternity is in it.”
🙏🏾
— Donna Brazile (@donnabrazile) October 17, 2019
https://twitter.com/kerrywashington/status/1184910084507201536
Elijah Cummings was a majestic lion in the American Congress who roared to amplify the needs of his pride, and clawed to fiercely protect the rights and dreams of his pride. And we were all his pride. I will miss you brother. pic.twitter.com/NlWarr3ebk
— Steve Harvey (@IAmSteveHarvey) October 17, 2019
