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The leading Democrat on the House committee responsible for federal operations has informed his constituents via email that he plans to step down from his position due to a deteriorating prognosis related to his cancer.
Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., has announced that this will mark his final term in Congress. In his communication, he expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from his constituents, noting that it has fortified him in his dual battles against cancer and in the broader struggle for democracy.
Connolly was appointed as the ranking member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee in late 2022, a role that saw him receiving selection over fellow Democrat Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.
First elected to Congress in 2008, Connolly represents a district near Fairfax that is home to a significant number of federal employees. He revealed his diagnosis of esophageal cancer in November and has been receiving treatment since then.
In his email, he conveyed that although he initially responded well to treatment, the cancer has unfortunately returned. “The sun is setting on my time in public service, and this will be my last term in Congress,” he stated, adding, “With no rancor and a full heart, I move into this final chapter full of pride in what we’ve accomplished together over 30 years. My loving family and staff sustain me. My extended family – you all have been a joy to serve.”
During the Trump administration’s second term, Connolly became a prominent critic of efforts to reshape the federal government. He encouraged inspectors general dismissed by Trump to disregard their terminations and continue their vital work. Recently, he disclosed, based on whistleblower accounts, that the Department of Government Efficiency is developing a comprehensive cross-agency database that may infringe on privacy rights.
On February 3, addressing demonstrators outside the headquarters of the U.S. Agency for International Development—an agency significantly altered under the Trump administration—Connolly emphasized that Democrats would utilize all means available, including legal avenues and public engagement, to oppose such changes.
Each year, Connolly sponsors legislation aimed at increasing the salaries of federal employees. He has strongly advocated for advancements in federal technology acquisition, co-authoring the Federal IT Acquisition Reform Act in 2014 and leading the charge on the biannual FITARA scorecard, which evaluates the progress of agencies in IT modernization and procurement efforts.
James Comer, R-Ky., the Chairman of the Oversight Committee, commended Connolly in a statement, praising him as a “steadfast public servant” who has dedicated his career to serving the people of Northern Virginia with honor and integrity. He expressed his support for Connolly as he fights his cancer battle.
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