Elijah Cummings

Former United States Representative

January 18, 1951 Baltimore, Maryland, United States

October 17, 2019 The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Joyce Cummings (m. ?–1982)

Elijah Cummings was an American politician, civil rights advocate and longtime Democratic representative who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Maryland's 7th congressional district for 23 years until his death. A law graduate, he previously served 13 years in the Maryland House of Delegates and practiced for 19 years before joining active politics. He served as chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, as well as chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, and was a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. At the time of his death in October 2019, he was serving as the chair of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and was leading the impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump. He clashed heavily with the President for the latter's racist rhetoric. As a lawmaker, he focused on cutting prescription drug prices, fighting addiction, strengthening gun control and reforming the criminal justice system.