BPC's Blair and Wilson on Passing of House Oversight Committee Chair Elijah Cummings

We lost a respected leader and champion of congressional oversight yesterday with the passing of House Oversight and Reform Committee Chairman, Elijah E. Cummings.

Chairman Cummings, a noted and powerful voice in the civil rights community, in his congressional district and in Congress, understood all too well the importance of Congress exercising its constitutional responsibilities to conduct executive branch oversight and hold government accountable.  Throughout his congressional career, he used his role as a leader to speak truth to power and shed light on government operations, wrongdoings and abuse and waste.   He also worked hard to bring solutions to the problems his committee uncovered.

Congressman Cummings was noted for forging bipartisan relationships.  He knew good government needed all hands on deck and that both Democrats and Republicans could work together to hold government accountable and to deliver the best to all Americans.  He was a passionate advocate for the whistleblowers and federal workers.  He fought to ensure fair treatment and respect for the people who work hard for this nation each and every day.  The Congress and the nation will miss Congressman Cummings and his unyielding commitment to making our government better serve its people.

Our prayers are with his family, his staff, his Baltimore and Maryland constituents and his colleagues on Capitol Hill.  We are truly better for having had him at the Oversight helm.

 

Dan G. Blair
Senior Counselor and Fellow
Bipartisan Policy Center

Denise Wilson
Member – Task Forces on Inspectors General and Executive Branch Oversight
Bipartisan Policy Center