Bill Pascrell, New Jersey Democratic congressman, dead at 87

Democratic congressman Bill Pascrell has died at the age of 87.

The New Jersey lawmaker served 28 years for the state's 9th congressional district in the House of Representatives and was hospitalized after an incident last week.

He recently spent 28 days in treatment and needed 'breathing assistance', but then suffered a setback which forced him back into a rehabilitation facility.

'It is with deep sadness that we announce that Bill Pascrell Jr., our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away this morning,' his family said on X. 

Democratic congressman Bill Pascrell has died at the age of 87

'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.'

Pascrell had been hospitalized in July for respiratory issues and spent some time in intensive care. He had planned to run for reelection in the House. 

The 14-term congressman had been discharged on August 7 but was readmitted to the hospital just four days later. 

The fierce Trump critic was the lower chamber's second-oldest member behind Democrat Grace Napolitano of California, who is also 87.  The oldest member of Congress is Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, who turns 91 next month. 

Pascrell is the second New Jersey Democrat to die while serving in the House this year, following Donald Payne, 65, who in April suffered a heart attack and later succumbed to complications. 

County party leaders will now be able to hand-pick a new Democratic nominee to take on Republican Billy Prempeh, Pascrell's opponent in the last two cycles. Pascrell defeated Prempeh 55 to 42 in 2022. 

Born January 25, 1937 in Paterson, New Jersey, Pascrell would go on to serve in the Army and become mayor of his hometown. After getting bachelor's and master's degrees at Fordham University, he taught history at high school and as an adjunct professor. 

He got his start in politics in the late 1970s on the local school board and later as a member of the local community college's board of trustees. 

He won election to the New Jersey General Assembly in 1987 and won the mayor's race a few years later. He held both seats at once for a time - a practice that was then commonplace in New Jersey - until he was elected to Congress in 1996.

Pascrell has been on the House Transportation and Infrastructure, Homeland Security, Budget and Small Business committees. Since 2007 he's held a spot on the powerful tax-writing committee Ways and Means where he led the charge for Trump's tax returns. 

On social media as of late he'd been frequently posting some variance of: 'Good morning. Republican donald trump is a convicted criminal.'

He is survived by his wife Elsie, three children and five grandchildren. 

Speaker Mike Johnson offered condolences: 'We’re saddened to hear of the passing of Congressman Bill Pascrell Jr., who represented the people of New Jersey in the U.S. House since 1997. His was a life of service.'