![Bill Pascrell (D-NJ)(2nd-R) speaks while flanked by Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH)(L), Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) (2nd-L) and Rep. David Wu (D-OR) (R) during a break in closed door house leadership elections for the upcoming 112th Congress, November 17, 2010 in Washington, DC. . House Democrats have decided to leave their leadership unchanged after loosing over 60 seats in the mid-term elections the giving control of the house to the Republicans. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)](https://freeamericanetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/longtime-n-j-democrat-rep-bill-pascrell-jr-dies-at-87.webp)
OAN Staff Abril Elfi
12:11 PM – Wednesday, August 21, 2024
New Jersey Representative Bill Pascrell Jr. has died at age 87.
On Wednesday, the longtime Democrat’s family released a statement regarding his passing.
His family did not reveal the cause of his death. However, Pascrell Jr. had been hospitalized since July.
“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,” his family wrote in a statement. “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.”
Pascrell Jr. was first elected in 1996, serving 14 terms in Congress. He was also a member of the Ways and Means Committee.
During his 2020 re-election campaign, Pascrell Jr. underwent heart surgery.
Governor Phil Murphy (D-N.J.) released a statement regarding the representative’s passing.
“Tammy and I are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend Congressman Bill Pascrell, a giant of New Jersey and a lifelong champion for our most vulnerable neighbors,” Murphy wrote. “We send our heartfelt condolences and prayers to his wife, Elsie, as well as their three children — Bill, David, and Glenn — and six grandchildren.”
His passing comes after Representative Sheila Jackson (D-Texas) and Representative Donald Payne (D-N.J.) died earlier this year.
Pascrell Jr.’s passing means that Democrats now have four vacancies in the House of Representatives. They currently hold 211 House seats, while Republicans hold 220 seats in the House.
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