Longtime New Jersey Congressman, Bill Pascrell Dies At 87

Democratic Representative, Bill Pascrell, an outspoken and influential New Jersey congressman who served in the US House of Representatives since 1997, has died at the age of 87.

His passing was announced by his family in a post on his official X page on Wednesday, 21st of August, 2024.

“It is with deep sadness that we announce that Bill Pascrell Jr., our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away this morning,” the statement said. “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.”

NBC News reports that Pascrell’s passing comes as Democrats are gathered for their convention in Chicago where Vice President Kamala Harris will accept her party’s nomination. Those who could pay tribute to Pascrell from the convention stage on Wednesday include Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

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 August 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 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.