WASHINGTON — Rep. Elijah Cummings, representative for Maryland’s 7th Congressional District, died on Thursday morning after “long-standing health problems,” according to his office. He was 68.
The congressman is remembered as a fierce supporter of lowering drug costs, fighting for civil rights and his recent position as chairman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee.
Read Capital News Service’s coverage of the congressman’s death, Washington’s reaction and Baltimore’s response.
Advocates and adversaries alike regarded him as a “giant,” “North Star,” and President Donald Trump said Cummings’ presence will be “very hard, if not impossible, to replace.”
In this episode of the Washington Bullpen, CNS reviews his body of work — from his first appearance on the House floor to his recent calls for justice and decency in the middle of investigations into the Trump Administration.
From his many memorable speeches, one rings especially true this week.
“When we’re dancing with the angels, the question will 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?” Cummings said at a hearing in February. “Come on now. We can do more than one thing. And we have got to get back to normal.”
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Samantha Hawkins contributed to this report.