Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) introduced Monday that he’ll step out of the highest Democratic seat on the highly effective Oversight and Authorities Reform Committee, citing the return of the esophageal most cancers he’s been battling since late final yr.
Connolly mentioned he may even be leaving Congress on the finish of the time period, his ninth serving Northern Virginia within the Home.
“The sun is setting on my time in public service, and this will be my last term in Congress. I will be stepping back as Ranking Member of the Oversight Committee soon,” Connolly mentioned in an announcement addressing his constituents.
“With no rancor and a full heart, I move into this final chapter full of pride in what we’ve accomplished together over 30 years,” he continued. “My loving family and staff sustain me. My extended family — you all have been a joy to serve.”
The transfer reopens a seat that had been a subject of competition heading into the brand new Congress, when Connolly, now in his seventeenth yr within the Home, had overwhelmed again a problem from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), a extra junior lawmaker on the Oversight Committee, for the rating member spot on the influential panel.
The competition had uncovered broader rifts throughout the Home Democratic Caucus about not solely the position of seniority in deciding high committee posts, but in addition the longer term and picture of the celebration at massive after Republicans received management of the Home, Senate and White Home in November.
The Democrats who had supported Ocasio-Cortez, a six-year veteran of Capitol Hill, had argued for a brand new technology of youthful figures to take the reins of the celebration and refresh it with new concepts. However Connolly received the race simply, placing him in a coveted spot on a robust panel with jurisdiction over nearly each aspect of the federal authorities — a seat of outsized significance for the minority Democrats vying to hobble President Trump in his second time period.
In accordance with the principles of the Home Democratic Caucus, the Oversight rating member slot should be crammed inside 30 days from the date the emptiness occurred. The caucus will use the identical course of because it sometimes does to elect committee management: The Steering and Coverage Committee will nominate a member because the designee, then the caucus will vote on the subsequent chief.
Connolly, 75, introduced in November that he was identified with most cancers of the esophagus and deliberate to bear remedy “right away.”
“I will attack this the only way I know how — with Irish fight and humor,” Connolly wrote in an announcement. “With a great team of doctors, nurses, and medical technicians, we are very confident in a successful outcome.”
“Over the next few months as I do my job here in our district and on the Hill, I may be a bit fatigued due to the treatment,” he added. “I hope you’ll understand.”
Regardless of the information, the Virginia Democrat nonetheless ran for the highest Democratic slot on the Home Oversight Committee, which had change into vacant after Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) left to change into the rating member of the Home Judiciary Committee. Connolly defeated Ocasio-Cortez in a closed-door vote of the caucus.
On Monday, nonetheless, Connolly mentioned the return of the most cancers has compelled a change of coronary heart.
“When I announced my diagnosis six months ago, I promised transparency. After grueling treatments, we’ve learned that the cancer, while initially beaten back, has now returned,” he mentioned.
“I’ll do everything possible to continue to represent you and thank you for your grace.”
Connolly’s Democratic allies in Virginia rapidly weighed in after the announcement, praising Connolly as a extremely principled lawmaker and devoted public servant.
“Whether it’s standing up for federal workers, advocating for good governance, or now confronting cancer with the same resilience and grit that have defined his life of public service, Gerry is one of the toughest fighters I know,” Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) mentioned Monday in an announcement.
“I have no doubt that Gerry will continue to fight — for his health, for his community, and for the causes he believes in.”
