WASHINGTON (TIP):  Representative Elijah E. Cummings, a son of sharecroppers who rose to become one of the most powerful Democrats in Congress and a central figure in the impeachment investigation of President Trump, died on Thursday, October 17  in Baltimore, New York Times reported. . He was 68.

His death was confirmed by a spokeswoman, Trudy Perkins, in a statement that said he died of “complications concerning longstanding health challenges.” No other details were given.

As chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, Mr. Cummings, of Maryland, had sweeping power to investigate Mr. Trump and his administration — and he used it.

A critical ally of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Mr. Cummings spent his final months in Congress sparring with the president, calling Mr. Trump’s effort to block congressional lines of inquiry “far worse than Watergate.”

Mr. Cummings called the president’s stonewalling “far worse than Watergate.”

He was sued by Mr. Trump as the president tried to keep his business records secret.

Mr. Cummings was in his 13th term serving as a representative for Maryland. He had been absent from Capitol Hill in recent weeks because of his illness. But before that, he could often be found in the Speaker’s Lobby fielding reporter’s questions or quietly reading in the motorized wheelchair he used.

Senator Benjamin L. Cardin, Democrat of Maryland, who served with Mr. Cummings in the House, said his death left an “irreplaceable void.”

Hakeem Jeffries

✔

@RepJeffries

Deeply saddened by the passing of Chairman Elijah Cummings.

He spoke truth to power, defended the disenfranchised and represented West Baltimore with strength and dignity.

Congress has lost a Champion. Heaven has gained an Angel of Justice. May he forever #RestInPower.