Top Democrat holds moment of silence for Cummings at hearing

Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) held a moment of silence at a House hearing Thursday in honor of Rep. Elijah Cummings (Md.), who died at the age of 68 earlier in the day.

“Elijah Cummings was a defender of the Constitution, a man of great knowledge, wisdom and grace. He exhibited that in all of his work in Congress, particularly as Chairman of the Oversight Committee,” said Cohen, who leads the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties.

{mosads}Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle reflected on their interactions with Cummings, who was chairman of the powerful Oversight and Reform Committee.

“While he and I rarely agreed on matters of public policy, I just want to say that I always found him personally to be a man of great sincerity and decency and integrity,” said Rep. Mike Johnson (La.), the top Republican on the subcommittee.

The moment of silence came during a hearing titled “Legislative Proposals to Strengthen the Voting Rights Act.” Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) said it was “fitting” to honor Cummings at the hearing, given the Maryland Democrat’s involvement with the issue over the years.

“He served his constituents, his country, and the causes he believed in with passion and with grace,” Nadler said. “It is fitting that we are considering voting rights today, as Elijah was a champion of equality and civil rights for all those in society.”

Cummings died Thursday morning from health complications.