Congressman Elijah Cummings has died

Maryland Congressman Elijah Cummings, a Democrat and Chair of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, has died due to complications from longstanding health challenges, his congressional office said. He was 68.

HIs office says: “At approximately 2:45 A.M. on Thursday October 17, 2019, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (MD-07) passed away at Johns Hopkins Hospital due to complications concerning longstanding health challenges.”

Statement from Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, wife of Rep. Elijah Cummings: “He worked until his last breath..”

#BREAKING — U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings has died. "I loved him deeply and will miss him dearly." >> https://t.co/uaxNzGtxP5 pic.twitter.com/85rgSHNiT3

— WBAL-TV 11 Baltimore (@wbaltv11) October 17, 2019

Cummings became the powerful chairman of a US House committee that investigated President Donald Trump, and was a formidable orator who passionately advocated for the poor in his black-majority district, which encompasses a large portion of Baltimore as well as more well-to-do suburbs. Cummings led multiple investigations of the president’s governmental dealings, including probes in 2019 relating to the president’s family members serving in the White House.