Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) has passed away.

“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 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,” a statement from his X account read.

He was 87.

Per NBC News:

The 14-term congressman was hospitalized for nearly a month this summer after experiencing a fever related to a respiratory illness. He was discharged to a rehabilitation center on Aug. 7 but was readmitted to Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, N.J., just four days later.

The feisty octogenarian was the second-oldest House member, only behind only retiring Rep. Grace Napolitano, D-Calif. The oldest member of Congress is Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, who turns 91 on Sept. 17.

Pascrell was the second New Jersey congressman to die this year. Fellow Democrat Donald Payne Jr. died on April 24 at the age of 65 after suffering a heart attack related to diabetes complications.

Pascrell had been running for re-election to his 9th District seat in November.

“Bill Pascrell embodied the spirit of New Jersey. As a first son of Paterson, he never forgot where he came from, leaving an indelible mark on North Jersey as a mayor, a public-school teacher, an assemblyman, and a congressman who never, ever backed down from doing what was right,” Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) said.

New Jersey Monitor reports:

Pascrell was a longtime co-chair of the congressional law enforcement caucus and an ardent opponent of former President Donald Trump. The congressman railed against the former president’s tax policy and repeatedly sought to undo a $10,000 cap on state and local tax deductions that disproportionately affected residents in high-tax states like New Jersey.

He repeatedly called for criminal investigations into Trump and Postmaster General Louis DeJoy over policy changes at the United States Postal Service in 2020 and sought to block the swearings-in of congresspeople who joined Trump’s efforts to overturn President Joe Biden’s election.

Pascrell was an advocate for first responders and veterans. He championed legislation extending grants to local fire departments to hire additional personnel, purchase equipment, and fund fire prevention programs.

“Today, we mourn the loss of a great friend and colleague, Congressman Bill Pascrell. Bill was a dedicated public servant, a tireless advocate for his constituents, and a passionate supporter of firefighters. We worked closely together on many issues. My deepest condolences go out to his family during this difficult time. Bill will be dearly missed,” said Rep. Tom Kean (R-07), who cosponsored a recent bill with Pascrell reauthorizing grants for firefighters.

 

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