House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) said that he was devastated by the death of his friend, Rep. Elijah Cummings, who he called Democrats’ “moral and ethical North Star.”
Rep. Schiff said in a statement provided to PoliticusUSA:
I’m beyond devastated at the loss of my friend and colleague, Elijah Cummings. My thoughts are with his wife, Maya, his children, his family his friends, his dedicated staff, and the whole city of Baltimore as we all mourn the loss of this giant of a man.
Elijah was the heart and soul of our caucus, a dignified leader with a voice that could move mountains. He was often the first to call to offer a kind word, a suggestion, or posit a way forward on the trickiest of issues. And it was Elijah who we turned to most when we needed guidance or help.
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Elijah was our moral and ethical North Star, always shining bright and clear. Now we will be guided by his powerful memory and incomparable legacy. Rest in Peace, my friend.
Rep. Cummings passed away overnight at age 68 due to complications from long term health problems.
The country was blessed to have had Rep. Cummings to help us navigate the stormy waters of these troubled political times for as long as we did. Elijah Cummings won’t be replaced in the Democratic caucus or in the halls of Congress. He was a person whose impact on the Legislative Branch goes beyond the standard measures of achievement. Cummings was a role model for many, and his leadership will be missed every single day.
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Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
