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Elijah Cummings: Veteran US Democrat dies aged 68 | Elijah Cummings: Veteran US Democrat dies aged 68 |
(32 minutes later) | |
Veteran US Democratic congressman Elijah Cummings, who was heavily involved with the Trump impeachment inquiry, has died at the age of 68. | Veteran US Democratic congressman Elijah Cummings, who was heavily involved with the Trump impeachment inquiry, has died at the age of 68. |
His office said he had died as a result of "longstanding health challenges". | |
As chairman of the House of Representatives Oversight Committee, he had instigated several investigations into the Trump administration. | As chairman of the House of Representatives Oversight Committee, he had instigated several investigations into the Trump administration. |
He also clashed with administration officials over healthcare and immigration. | He also clashed with administration officials over healthcare and immigration. |
Earlier this year, during a hearing about migrant detention, Mr Cummings blasted acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan, asking him if the department had an "empathy deficit". | |
President Donald Trump responded with a week-long series of tweets and comments attacking the congressman and labelling his majority-black Baltimore district a "disgusting, rat and rodent-infested mess". Several Democratic lawmakers labelled the comment as racist. | President Donald Trump responded with a week-long series of tweets and comments attacking the congressman and labelling his majority-black Baltimore district a "disgusting, rat and rodent-infested mess". Several Democratic lawmakers labelled the comment as racist. |
The congressman had experienced several health problems in recent years, and received treatment for a heart condition. | |
Prominent Democratic lawmakers have paid tribute to Mr Cummings following the news of his death. | |
"He worked until his last breath because he believed our democracy was the highest and best expression of our collective humanity," Maya Cummings, Maryland's Democratic Party chairwoman, said in a statement. | |
Mr Cummings worked as a Maryland state delegate and lawyer before his election to the House of Representatives in 1996. | Mr Cummings worked as a Maryland state delegate and lawyer before his election to the House of Representatives in 1996. |
A Baltimore native, he was one of seven children born to parents who were farm workers on the same land where their ancestors were enslaved. | A Baltimore native, he was one of seven children born to parents who were farm workers on the same land where their ancestors were enslaved. |
He had served as chairman of the Oversight Committee since January after Democrats took control of the House. | |
During his tenure, he engaged in a lengthy court battle with the Trump administration over subpoenas of the president's personal and financial records. | During his tenure, he engaged in a lengthy court battle with the Trump administration over subpoenas of the president's personal and financial records. |