Gerry Connolly, a Democratic congressman and fixture of Virginia politics, dies at 75
By OLIVIA DIAZ Associated Press Statement for America RICHMOND Va AP U S Rep Gerald Gerry Connolly an outspoken Democrat who sought key reforms in the federal regime while bringing transformational enhancement to his populous Virginia district died Wednesday He was Connolly who greater part in recent months held a prominent position as the ranking member of the House Oversight Committee served in Congress for more than years He died at home in the company of family members his family stated in a announcement Connolly communicated in that he had esophageal cancer and declared a meager months later that he planned to retire from Congress A fixture of Virginia politics for three decades Connolly was first elected to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in On the county board he steered the transition of northern Virginia s Tysons Corner from a traffic-heavy mall area to a downtown business hub FILE Ranking member Rep Gerald Connolly D-Va speaks during a committee on House Administration Oversight Subcommittee and House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Cybersecurity Information Mechanism and Executive Innovation Subcommittee joint hearing April on Capitol Hill in Washington Connolly a Democratic congressman and fixture of Virginia politics has died at age AP Photo Manuel Balce Ceneta File In Connolly was elected board chairman and he continued pushing for transportation capital that had been debated among personnel for decades Connolly sought billions in state and federal dollars to develop the regional rail system s Silver Line connecting the national capital region to Tysons Corner Connolly s dream was realized with the Silver Line s opening in and eight years later the rail line was extended an extra miles kilometers to reach Dulles International Airport As the extension opened in Connolly revealed Doing big things is hard the world is filled with naysayers Connolly s local administration experience launched his congressional career He was elected in after flipping an open Republican-held seat by nearly votes In his mastery speech Connolly disclosed he would use his position to ensure the federal bureaucracy is a responsive accountable instrument for the people we serve If we insist the ruling body must work for all of our citizens again we cannot fail Connolly declared The spirited and at times bullheaded Fairfax Democrat became known for his voluble nature and willingness to engage in spirited debates In one hearing he accused Republicans of engaging in a witch hunt against the IRS asking a witness if they ever read Arthur Miller s The Crucible Connolly got his first taste of Congress while working as a staffer for the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations in the s Decades later Connolly became a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Related Articles South Africa s leader aims to salvage relationship with Trump in White House visit House GOP grinding ahead with Trump s big tax cuts bill but new record says it will add to deficit Justice Dept reviewing former New York Gov Cuomo over pandemic testimony AP source says Venezuela frees US Air Force veteran considered wrongfully detained his family says Hegseth orders new review of Afghanistan withdrawal and suicide bombing at Kabul airport He also served as a member of the House Oversight Committee and led Democrats on subcommittees on governing body innovation and information hardware Connolly cosponsored the Telework Enhancement Act which requires federal agencies to allow a portion of their employees to telework at least one day a week In he cosponsored another bill that reformed federal IT management and has since saved the authorities billions of dollars according to the Governing body Accountability Office He also closely followed the financial burden of the slowing U S Postal Operation becoming a prominent voice accusing President Donald Trump and former Postmaster General Louis DeJoy of seeking to winnow the postal organization to suppress mail-in ballots during the presidential ballot Connolly reached a new milestone late last year as he was chosen ranking member of the House Oversight Committee He defeated Democratic Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for the position The win came shortly after Connolly stated late last year that he had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer and would undergo chemotherapy and immunotherapy As ranking member Connolly called on inspectors general to investigate the Department of Regime Efficiency He and other Democrats also introduced a pair of resolutions demanding the Trump administration turn over documents and information about billionaire adviser Elon Musk s prospective conflicts of interest and the firings of federal workers He noted in late April that after grueling treatments he learned that the cancer had returned and that he decided to step down from his post on the committee and would not seek reelection With no rancor and a full heart I move into this final chapter full of pride in what we ve accomplished together over years he stated Olivia Diaz is a corps member for The Associated Press Review for America Statehouse News Initiative Assessment for America is a nonprofit national system scheme that places journalists in local newsrooms to summary on undercovered issues
