Tributes and reactions to Elijah Cumming’s death | CNN Politics

Elijah Cummings, longtime Baltimore congressman, dies age 68

Meg Wagner Eliza Mackintosh
By Meg Wagner and Eliza Mackintosh, CNN
Updated 2:08 PM EDT, Thu October 17, 2019
House Oversight and Government Reform Committee ranking member Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol May 17, 2017 in Washington, DC.
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Rep. Elijah Cummings passes away at age 68
0:52 • Source: CNN
House Oversight and Government Reform Committee ranking member Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol May 17, 2017 in Washington, DC.
0:52

What you need to know

  • Elijah Cummings has died: The Chair of the House Oversight and Reform Committee was 68. He died at Johns Hopkins Hospital due to “complications concerning longstanding health challenges,” according to a statement from his office.
  • Touching tribute: Cummings’ office was draped in black Thursday in his honor.
  • Trump impeachment probe: The Maryland congressman was a key figure in investigating President Trump.
  • Our live coverage has ended, but you can scroll through the posts to read more.

Updates

(30)

Cummings gets touching tribute at Capitol

In honor of the late Rep. Elijah Cummings, his office at the Capitol and seat on the House Oversight and Reform Committee were draped in black.

See the photos below:

Olivier Douliery/AFP/Getty Images
Olivier Douliery/AFP/Getty Images

Mick Mulvaney says Cummings will "be missed"

From CNN's Allison Malloy

Acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney said he sent his condolences to the family of Rep. Elijah Cummings following his death Thursday.

Mulvaney recalled his time in Congress with Cummings, saying he “will be missed” and was “classy guy and I enjoyed very much working with him.”

NAACP on Cummings: "He demanded justice on every front"

The NAACP said it was “deeply saddened” by Rep. Elijah Cummings’ death, but was “profoundly grateful” for his contributions.

In a statement, the organization praised Cummings’ civil rights efforts.

“He demanded justice on every front and never shied away from standing up for the most vulnerable,” the NAACP said.

Read the full statement:

Obama: "Cummings stood tallest and most resolute when our country needed him the most"

From CNN's Allie Malloy and Jeff Zeleny
Surrounded by members of the Secret Service, Rep. Elijah Cummings points to the crowd alongside then-presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama at a 2007 rally.
Surrounded by members of the Secret Service, Rep. Elijah Cummings points to the crowd alongside then-presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama at a 2007 rally.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Former President Barack Obama said he and his wife Michelle are “heartbroken over the passing of our friend, Elijah Cummings.”

“It’s a tribute to his native Baltimore that one of its own brought such character, tact, and resolve into the halls of power every day,” he said in a statemnet.

He continued:

Cummings was one of the earliest supporters of Obama’s presidential candidacy back in 2007 when many members of the Congressional Black Caucus and others were backing Hillary Clinton’s campaign. 

At that time, Cummings told CNN reporters how he believed African American voters would ultimately rally around Obama if he showed signs of being able to win.

Back then, Cummings told CNN: “People say, ‘He’s like my son or my grandson and before I die, I’d like to have the chance to vote for someone who can win.”

Pelosi on Cummings: "Everyone wanted to hear what Elijah has to say"

Nancy Pelosi kicked off her weekly press conference today with a remembrance of Elijah Cummings. She said when he served in the Maryland House, he was already a powerful voice.

Pelosi appeared to choke up as she announced that at a hearing this morning House members discussed naming legislation that would lower the cost of prescription drugs after Cummings, which she said was “so appropriate.”

“Elijah was a fighter for low income and prescription drugs, reaching across the aisle to do so. He always chose to reach across the aisle and treat all of our colleagues with respect and even had dialogue with the President for a while on this subject.”

Pelosi added that she’s personally “devastated by the loss” of Cummings, and called him her “brother from Baltimore.”

Capitol flags are at half-staff for Cummings

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has ordered flags at the US Capitol to be lowered to mark Rep. Elijah Cummings’ death, her deputy chief of staff tweeted.

Sen. Feinstein: "Our country has really suffered a great loss"

From CNN's Ariane de Vogue

Sens. Lindsey Graham and Dianne Feinstein remembered Rep. Elijah Cummings at the top of today’s Senate Judiciary session.

Graham called Elijah Cummings a “good man,” who would “help you where he could,” even if you disagreed with him. Graham said with Cummings passing “there is a void in the House today that will be hard to fill.”

Feinstein said Cummings was a “special man,” and “a man who could reach out, a man who was respected, who crossed party lines.”  

Acting Oversight Committee Chair: "Elijah represented grace, dignity and empathy"

Rep. Carolyn Maloney issued a statement on the death of Chairman Elijah Cummings, saying he “represented grace, dignity and empathy under the most trying of circumstances.” 

She makes no mention of her new role as acting chair of the House Oversight Committee. She added that Cummings’ legacy “should be an inspiration to us all.”

 Here’s her full statement:

This is who will chair the Oversight Committee following Cummings' death

From CNN's Manu Raju

Rep. Carolyn Maloney will become the Acting Chair of the House Oversight committee following the death of Chairman Elijah Cummings, a senior Democratic leadership aide tells CNN.

The Oversight Committee is one of the panels involved in the impeachment inquiry of Trump.

Speaker Pelosi: "In the House, Elijah was our North Star"

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she is “personally devastated” following the death of Rep. Elijah Cummings, calling him the “North Star” of the House of Representatives.

Here’s her full statement:

Cummings "never forgot his duty to fight for the rights and dignity of the marginalized," Baltimore mayor says

From CNN's Elizabeth Joseph

Baltimore Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young said the city, nation and world have lost “one of the strongest and most gifted crusaders for social justice” following the death of Elijah Cummings.

He continued: “Rest easy, Congressman. We love you and will draw strength by remembering your selfless acts of service and dedication to pursuing equality and basic human rights for all people.”

Here’s his full statement:

House chairs remember Cummings: He was "the heart and soul of our caucus"

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Schiff and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Nadler have both tweeted this morning on the death of Elijah Cummings. 

Cummings was the chair of the House Oversight and Reform Committee.

Schiff called Cummings “the heart and soul of our caucus,” and Nadler said his “presence passion and moral clarity will be missed.”

Here are their messages:

Trump on Cummings: "His work and voice on so many fronts will be very hard, if not impossible, to replace!"

From CNN's Allison Malloy

President Trump has just tweeted his “warmest condolences” following the death of Congressman Elijah Cummings.

This is President Trump’s first reaction to Cummings’ death. 

Here’s the full tweet:

Kellyanne Conway: "Sad to learn of the passing of longtime, passionate public servant"

White House Counselor Kellyanne Conway has just commented on the death of Congressman Elijah Cummings.

Here’s her tweet:

 President Trump has yet to comment on the loss of Congressman Cummings. 

Maryland governor: "Cummings leaves behind an incredible legacy of fighting for Baltimore City"

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan remembered Rep. Elijah Cummings, saying the congressman “leaves behind an incredible legacy of fighting for Baltimore City .”

“He was a passionate and dedicated public servant whose countless contributions made our state and our country better,” the governor said in a statement.

Here’s the full statement:

President Trump has not yet commented on Cummings' death

President Trump has sent his first tweet of the day — criticizing democrats and making no mention of the sudden death of Congressman Elijah Cummings.

Trump instead quote tweeted Jim Jordan who wrote that “Dems’ message is weak and destructive.” With Trump adding: “This is the real story. Thank you Jim!” 

President Trump has not yet commented on the unexpected death of Congressman Cummings — someone who has clashed publicly with the President. Cummings was the chairman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, one of the panels involved in the impeachment inquiry of Trump.

Earlier this year, Trump tweeted disparaging remarks toward Cummings and his Maryland district, which includes much of Baltimore, calling the majority black district a “disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess.” We have cameras ready should flags be ordered to lower at the White House.

 Here’s Trump’s tweet from this morning:

Cummings' wife: "He worked until his last breath"

Maryland Democratic Party Chair Dr. Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, Elijah Cummings’ wife, said her husband worked until the day he died because he believed “our democracy was the highest and best expression of our collective humanity.”

The Maryland Democratic Party issued a statement on the congressman’s death, which included Maya Rockeymoore Cummings’ statement.

“It’s been an honor to walk by his side on this incredible journey. I loved him deeply and will miss him dearly.”

Here’s the full statement:

They were close friends, despite their political differences

From CNN's Dana Bash

Rep. Mark Meadows reacted this morning to the death of Chairman Cummings, saying “I am heartbroken. Truly heartbroken.”

Meadows, a Republican from North Carolina, and Cummings had a close personal relationship, despite being far apart politically.

This February, when Reps. Meadows and Tlaib clashed in a hearing over allegations of racism, Cummings came to the defense of Meadows, saying “of all the people on this committee … you’re one of my best friends. I know that shocks a lot of people.”

Cummings was planning to run for re-election

From CNN's Manu Raju

CNN’s Manu Raju asked Elijah Cummings last month if he would run for re-election.

The congressman responded:

Cummings was first elected to the US Congress in 1996. He was reelected last year in the 7th Congressional District with 76% of the vote.

"He could really move a crowd," Washington Post Congress reporter says

Speaking with CNN’s Early Start, Rachael Bade, a Washington Post reporter and CNN political analyst, recalled a moment during the IRS scandal in 2013 when she saw Rep. Elijah Cummings move an audience of his constituents to tears.

In May 2013, the IRS revealed that it had deliberately targeted some conservative groups applying for federal tax exempt status, delayed processing their applications and requested unnecessary information. The scandal led to wide condemnation of the agency and triggered several investigations.

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Elijah Cummings 1951 - 2019

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