Nancy Pelosi: Elijah Cummings ‘Lived the American Dream and He Wanted it for Everyone Else’

Nancy Pelosi: Elijah Cummings ‘Lived the American Dream and He Wanted it for Everyone Else’

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has paid tribute to the late Congressman Elijah Cummings. Speaking at a press briefing, Pelosi praised the veteran Democrat, who passed away at Johns Hopkins Hospital last night at the age of 68. He was a major figure in the party.

“I’m devastated by the loss,” Pelosi said, calling Cummings her ‘brother in Baltimore’. She called in a ‘dear friend’ and a ‘revered and respected colleague’.

“He lived the American dream and he wanted it for everyone else,” she said.

“In Congress, Elijah was considered a North Star.”

“He was a leader of towering character and integrity, whose stirring voice and steadfast values pushed the Congress and country to rise always to a higher purpose.”

Pelosi went on to discuss the issues surrounding Syria and President Donald Trump, but tributes have poured in for Cummings all day, including from the President’s twitter account.

Sadness at Cummings’ death crossed the partisan divide, with Democrats, Republicans and others expressing their respect and admiration for him, including now independent conservative Justin Amash.

At the other end of the political spectrum, Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders lamented the loss of Cummings’ ‘integrity and moral vision.’

Cummings represented Baltimore in Congress for 23 years and was a passionate campaigner for civil rights.

Darragh Roche

Darragh Roche is Political Media Editor

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