Longtime New Jersey Rep. Bill Pascrell dies at the age of 87

Congressman Bill Pascrell, a Democrat from New Jersey and a well-known figure in the House of Representatives since 1997, passed away at the age of 87.

His relatives used social media to announce his death.

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

This summer, a fever along with a respiratory ailment sent the 14-term congressman to the hospital for about a month. After being released to a rehabilitation facility on August 7, he was readmitted to Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, New Jersey, in less than four days.

With four open seats, Republicans will hold 220 seats in the House and Democrats will hold 211.

Pascrell held positions as mayor of Paterson, New Jersey, and in the General Assembly of New Jersey before entering the House.

Pascrell served as the 8th district representative for New Jersey in the House, and then as the 9th district after redistricting. During his time in Congress, Pascrell, a member of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, pushed to obtain money for a number of initiatives, including the replacement of lead pipes and other infrastructure improvements, receiving over $17 million in federal cash.

In Washington, Pascrell was a member of the House committees on small business, budget, homeland security, and transportation and infrastructure. He had spearheaded the effort to obtain access to Trump's personal tax returns while serving as a member of the influential Ways and Means Committee, which wrote tax laws, since 2007.

During his tenure in Congress, Pascrell advocated for several causes, including the growth of offshore wind energy and other clean energy projects, the restoration of the full state-and-local tax (SALT) deduction for his New Jersey constituents, and the awareness-raising of traumatic brain injury, particularly among soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey praised Pascrell, calling him a "giant of New Jersey and a lifelong champion for our most vulnerable neighbors."

"He was a unifier in every sense of the word— and always sought to bring the people of New Jersey together around our shared principles," added Murphy. "But for many New Jerseyans, Bill will be remembered most fondly for leading the fight for our families in Congress over the past 27 years. At every stage of his Congressional career, he stood up for our neighbors by defending access to reproductive health care, keeping our communities safe from gun violence, supporting our law enforcement officers and first responders, protecting our natural wonders — like Paterson's Great Falls — and so much more."

Pascrell is survived by Elsie Marie Botto, his wife of almost 60 years; three daughters; and five grandchildren.