A senior Democrat in the U.S. House died suddenly on Wednesday morning, marking another loss for the opposition just as the chamber prepares to vote on President Donald Trump’s historic tax cut legislation.
Although Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA) declined to seek reelection in 2026, he nonetheless was an institutional voice in his caucus and was most recently the ranking member of the powerful House Oversight Committee, which is responsible for acting as a check on the activities of the executive branch.
News of his death was announced by his family and released through his congressional office just hours after he passed.
“It is with immense sadness that we share that our devoted and loving father, husband, brother, friend, and public servant, Congressman Gerald E. Connolly, passed away peacefully at his home this morning surrounded by family,” read the statement.
Tributes from other Virginia politicians poured in quickly thereafter, including condolences from former Gov. Terry McAuliffe, Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears, and Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Congressman Gerry Connolly. His decades of public service reflect a deep commitment to Virignia. Suzanne and I send our heartfelt prayers to his family, friends, and all who mourn his loss,” Youngkin wrote online.
Shortly after winning reelection in 2024, Connolly admitted that he was in the midst of a battle against esophageal cancer. Although immunotherapy and chemotherapy worked for a time, the Virginia Democrat announced in April 2025 that his cancer had returned, causing him to decide to retire at the end of his term.
The loss leaves Democrats with one less vote to oppose passage of President Trump’s “big, beautiful” tax cut bill, which recently passed a key committee vote and was in the middle of further markups during overnight sessions into Wednesday morning.
Connolly is the third member of Congress to die just this year.
In March Longtime Arizona Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) passed away at age 77. The Democratic representative, who served Arizona’s 7th District for over two decades, died from complications related to his cancer treatments.
Just two days after, Sylvester Turner (D-TX), 70, died after sitting through President Trump’s speech before Congress. He previously told a local news station that he was receiving treatment for a form of jaw cancer.
