Democrat Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. (D-NJ) has passed away at the age of 87, his family announced on Wednesday.
Pascrell died on Wednesday morning after serving 14 terms in Congress, his family announced on X.
His cause of death is unknown.
However, Pascrell had been in the hospital since July.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce that Bill Pascrell Jr., our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away this morning,” the post from the late congressman’s X account read.
“As our United States Representative, Bill fought to his last breath to return to the job he cherished and to the people he loved.
“Bill lived his entire life in Paterson and had an unwavering love for the city he grew up in and served.
“He is now at peace after a lifetime devoted to our great nation America.”
It is with deep sadness that we announce that Bill Pascrell Jr., our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away this morning. As our United States Representative, Bill fought to his last breath to return to the job he cherished and to the people he loved. Bill lived…
— Bill Pascrell, Jr. 🇺🇸🇺🇦 (@BillPascrell) August 21, 2024
Pascrell was first elected in 1996 and was a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.
He also helped coach the Democrats’ congressional baseball team.
He was in the hospital for more than three weeks earlier this year and suffered a further setback last month.
The lawmaker underwent heart surgery during his 2020 re-election campaign.
New Jersey’s Democrat Gov. Phil Murphy marked Pascrell’s death in a statement on Wednesday.
“Tammy and I are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend Congressman Bill Pascrell, a giant of New Jersey and a lifelong champion for our most vulnerable neighbors,” Murphy wrote.
“We send our heartfelt condolences and prayers to his wife, Elsie, as well as their three children — Bill, David, and Glenn — and six grandchildren,” he added.
Pascrell is the second House Democrat to die this summer, following the death of Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX)
He is also the second House Democrat from New Jersey to die this year.
Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (D-NJ) passed away in the spring.
Payne died at the age of 65 in April weeks after suffering from a heart attack.
Pascrell’s death means Democrats now have four vacancies in the House of Representatives.
Democrats now hold 211 seats, compared to Republicans at 220.
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