New Jersey, August 23 :
Bill Pascrell, an 87-year-old Democratic representative from New Jersey who had been a member of the House of Representatives since 1997, died away, according to CNN. An emotional post on the congressman's X account said, "It is with deep sadness that we announce that Bill Pascrell Jr, our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away this morning." The announcement was made on Thursday.
With every breath he took, Bill battled to return to his beloved job and the people he loved as our United States Representative. Bill had a deep and abiding affection for Paterson, the city he had served his entire life. His lifelong devotion to our great nation, America, has finally paid him the ultimate tribute, it said.
It should be noted that Pascrell spent last month in the hospital due to a fever. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris offered condolences on his passing, describing him as a "dedicated public servant and an unwavering force for good."
The late Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. was an untamed moral force who served his constituents well and understood that government shines when it provides for their needs. According to Harris, Congressman Pascrell worked tirelessly to better the lives of his constituents, fellow New Jerseyans, and Americans during his nearly three decades of service in the House of Representatives. Pascrell had previously served in City Hall and the State House.
The Democratic candidate for president brought up Pascrell's work by saying that the veteran and health advocate had also established the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force.
Families' health, happiness, and security were Representative Pascrell's top priorities while she was in Congress. Thanks to his tenacious fight for health care, millions of Americans can finally afford to see a doctor when they're sick, and they can also afford to get the treatment they need and deserve. Harris asserted that he was a staunch environmentalist who fought for public lands, clean water, and air.
He established the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force to bring attention to the risks of TBIs after serving in the military. Additionally, she mentioned that he safeguarded our nation's first responders by leading legislation to address their needs while serving as chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus and the Congressional Law Enforcement Caucus.
According to CNN's reporting, the new partisan breakdown in the House will be 220 Republicans and 211 Democrats, with four open seats. Pascrell was mayor of Paterson, New Jersey, and a member of the New Jersey General Assembly before entering the House of Representatives.
The 8th and 9th congressional districts in New Jersey were both represented by Pascrell in the past, but with redistricting, he now represents the 9th. Pascrell helped gain approximately USD 17 million in federal financing for infrastructure improvements, including repairing lead pipes, while serving in Congress. He was a member of the influential House Ways and Means Committee and worked on a number of initiatives.
While advocating for an emergency supplemental package to offer disaster relief, Pascrell made harsh comments about Republican leadership following Hurricane Sandy.
Pascrell declared on the House floor, "It's time to take the gloves off - Jersey style.". "We are unfortunately dealing with a schizophrenic leadership on the other side."
In the midst of a widespread humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, Pascrell was chastised by Prospect Park Mayor Mohamed Khairullah, who ran a Democratic primary campaign to him earlier this year. Amid the ongoing war in Gaza, the district is a source of friction due to Little Ramallah in Paterson, which is home to one of the biggest Palestinian-American populations in the country, and Bergen County, which is home to a mainly Jewish population. Regardless, the Democratic primary was still easily won by Pascrell.
