Connolly, High Democrat on Oversight Panel, to Relinquish Publish and Retire

Consultant Gerald E. Connolly of Virginia, an eight-term Democrat, introduced on Monday that he wouldn’t search re-election and would quickly relinquish his place as the highest Democrat on the Home oversight committee, as he faces most cancers.

Mr. Connolly, 75, introduced late final 12 months that he was being handled for most cancers of the esophagus however deliberate to struggle the illness whereas persevering with to do his job in Washington, saying he was “very assured of a profitable final result.”

In a letter to his constituents on Monday, he stated that the illness, “whereas initially overwhelmed again, has now returned,” prompting his resolution to step apart and finally retire. Mr. Connolly stated he deliberate to do “every part potential” to complete out what he stated can be his ultimate time period.

“I will likely be stepping again as rating member of the Oversight Committee quickly,” he wrote. “With no rancor and a full coronary heart, I transfer into this ultimate chapter filled with delight in what we’ve completed collectively over 30 years.”

Mr. Connolly’s announcement didn’t clarify when he might hand over his place, and a spokesman didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark. The Committee on Oversight and Authorities Reform is scheduled to carry a vital listening to on Wednesday about its portion of Republicans’ tax and spending program, which incorporates modifications to federal workers’ advantages and offers them the choice to surrender civil service protections to earn more money.

Mr. Connolly’s resolution will clear the way in which for a brand new senior Democrat on probably the most partisan committees in Congress, which lawmakers usually use to antagonize the White Home and train their examine on govt energy.

Republicans at the moment management the committee and its subpoena energy. With Consultant James Comer of Kentucky, an in depth Trump ally, as chairman, the committee has largely targeted on reopening previous investigations of the Biden administration.

The committee additionally has jurisdiction over the Division of Authorities Effectivity, the White Home initiative led by Elon Musk to considerably remake the federal authorities and lower its work power. Consultant Marjorie Taylor Greene, the firebrand Georgia Republican, leads the panel on that effort and has used her perch to echo Mr. Musk’s claims about authorities waste.

However Mr. Connolly’s successor won’t be with out energy. The rating member oversees a big workers and may name for investigations and minority hearings to highlight problems with concern. The place can also be a priceless platform for lawmakers, and Mr. Connolly’s substitute can be in a primary place to steer the committee if Democrats retake the Home majority in 2026.

Mr. Connolly, whose district features a substantial variety of federal staff effected by Mr. Musk’s efforts, gained an inner battle for the position final 12 months over Consultant Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York. His victory was seen as a blow to a youthful group of Democratic lawmakers who’ve rejected seniority in favor of generational change.

Although a number of different veteran leaders stepped apart or have been overwhelmed by challenges from youthful colleagues, Mr. Connolly, a extra average Democrat, was chosen due to his expertise.

Ms. Ocasio-Cortez is not a member of the Oversight panel, which might complicate any effort she would possibly undertake to win the place have been she to attempt to take action.

Consultant Eleanor Holmes Norton, 87, the nonvoting delegate from the District of Columbia, didn’t increase her hand for the position final 12 months regardless of her seniority on the committee.