We lost an icon this morning: Rep. Elijah Cummings dead at 68

NBC News

WASHINGTON — Democratic Rep. Elijah Cummings died Thursday after what his office described as "complications concerning longstanding health challenges." He was 68.

Cummings, D-Md., passed away around 2:30 a.m. ET at Gilchrist Hospice Care, an affiliate of Baltimore's Johns Hopkins Hospital, his office said in a brief statement.

Cummings had represented Maryland's 7th Congressional District since 1996, serving 12 terms in the House, and was at the center of the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump in his role as House Oversight Committee chairman.

The congressman hadn't taken part in a roll call vote since Sept. 11, failing to return for work after a medical procedure he said would only keep him away for a week, according to The Associated Press.

Cummings last spoke on the House floor in late July before the House went on a six-week recess. For months, he had been seen moving around Capitol Hill on a motorized scooter. In 2017, he was sidelined for months following heart surgery and later told his staffers his recovery renewed his focus on the importance of his work.

NBC News

It’s a sad day for the country to lose someone that fought for what he believed in as often as he did. Maybe there can be a pause on the partisan bickering so the country and his constituents in Maryland can mourn his passing.

I didn't know he was sick. This seems very sudden and sucks.

RIP to a legend.

RIP

RIP cummings.

But now I hope that Baltimore elects someone who actually works for them.

Wow. Can't even be decent in a thread about this.

I hope the US elects someone who actually works for them.

On topic. RIP. Didn't even know the dude was ill.

Looking at some of the politicians from the city/district, I'm highly skeptical.

Ya, same here but hope springs eternal.

Hope though for the citizens of Baltimore that they find someone who is not corrupt and out to line their own pockets like 99% of all politicians.

I didn't like the guy at all. I respect his service though.

He died way too early. RIP.

I hope most Red States/Counties take your advice as well, since they are considerably worse off than Blue ones on average.

Thought he was older than 68. That's way too young. I respect his service to this country and am sad to hear of his passing.