Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., died today at age 75 following a bout with esophageal cancer.
The nine-term congressman went public with his cancer diagnosis last November. In April, Rep. Connolly cited continuing health difficulties in announcing that he would step back as ranking member of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee.
“Gerry lived his life to give back to others and make our community better,” his family said in a statement today. “He looked out for the disadvantaged and voiceless. He always stood up for what is right and just.”
“He was a skilled statesman on the international stage, an accomplished legislator in Congress, a visionary executive on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, a fierce defender of democracy, an environmental champion, and a mentor to so many,” the congressman’s family said.
Rep. Connolly’s leadership on Federal technology and workforce issues was unmatched during his nine terms in Congress representing the 11th district of Virginia, which includes Fairfax County.
He was an original cosponsor of the Modernizing Government Technology Act approved by Congress in 2017.
The law created the Technology Modernization Fund (TMF), which has since provided more than $1 billion of seed capital to 34 Federal agencies to jumpstart 69 IT improvement projects. The MGT Act also created a mechanism for agencies to create their own working capital funds to finance technology modernization efforts.
Just last month, Rep. Connolly and Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., reintroduced the Modernizing Government Technology (MGT) Reform Act, a bipartisan bill that would reauthorize and reform the Technology Modernization Fund (TMF) and its governing board.
Rep. Connolly was also a prime mover behind the semi-annual FITARA Scorecard that debuted in 2015 to grade the 24 largest Federal agencies on their progress across a range of IT-related categories. The scorecard has been credited by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) with saving the Federal government billions of dollars since then.
Most often, the scorecard was issued by the full House Oversight and Accountability Committee, but the past few editions were issued by Rep. Connolly’s office due to muted interest in the process from committee Republicans. The 18th version of the scorecard was released last September.
On the Federal workforce front, Rep. Connolly was among the most vocal defenders in Congress of long-standing merit systems principles for government employees and sponsors of legislation to advance competitive pay raises for Federal workers.
Additionally, he was a driving force behind numerous legislative efforts – most recently the Saving the Civil Service Act introduced in January – that aim to blunt the Trump administration’s push to create a new classification for Federal agency employees in policy-making positions that would make it easier for the administration to replace them.
As ranking member of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, the congressman was a passionate voice of opposition against the Trump administration’s deployment of its Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to take control of Federal civilian agency IT systems amid the administration’s larger campaign to reduce the size of the civilian government.
“We were fortunate to share Gerry with Northern Virginia for nearly 40 years because that was his joy, his purpose, and his passion,” the congressman’s family said today. “His absence will leave a hole in our hearts, but we are proud that his life’s work will endure for future generations.”
“My old friend is dead. We will all miss his humor, heart, history, and honor,” said MeriTalk Founder Steve O’Keeffe. “Friend to the Federal workforce, government reform, and tech progress. God speed – will see you up there for a Jameson. Take a minute and raise a glass this evening – Slainte, Gerry.”
Messages of condolence poured in from all quarters today.
“I’m deeply saddened by the passing of Ranking Member Gerry Connolly,” said Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., chairman of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee. “He was a dedicated public servant who represented Virginia’s 11th Congressional District with honor and integrity. We mourn the loss of our friend and colleague, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.”
“I am heartbroken over the loss of my dear friend Gerry Connolly,” said Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va. “To me, he exemplified the very best of public service … Gerry was a fighter. His sharp mind, boundless energy, and deep commitment to the people of Northern Virginia made him a force to be reckoned with, whether on the Fairfax Board of Supervisors or in Congress. He met every challenge with tenacity and purpose, including his final battle with cancer, which he faced with courage, grace, and quiet dignity.”
“My friend Gerry Connolly was a one of a kind public servant who never shied away from fighting for Northern Virginia and our country,” said Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va. “I will miss his voice on the many issues that were lucky to benefit from his steadfast leadership, from delivering the congressional oversight the American people deserve and protecting NATO, to standing up for the many federal workers who call Virginia home and securing once-in-a-generation transportation infrastructure investments. His legacy will live on through all that he accomplished throughout his decades of public service and the countless people he inspired along the way.”
“Crushingly sad to learn of the passing of Gerry Connolly, my friend, colleague and fierce champion of federal workers, public integrity and the people of Virginia (though he never surrendered his hearty south Boston accent),” said Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md. “May his memory be a blessing to us all.”
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Congressman Gerry Connolly,” said Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin. “His decades of public service reflect a deep commitment to Virginia.”
“Heartbroken by the passing of my friend,” said former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe. “Gerry always led with principle, wit, and fierce devotion to his values. A proud Irish son, he loved his community and gave it everything he had in everything he did.”
“I am heartbroken to learn of the passing of my colleague, mentor, and friend, Congressman Gerry Connolly,” said Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas. “This is a tremendous loss for Congress, for the Oversight Committee, and for the country. Congressman Connolly was sharp, witty, and always ready to stand up for what is right. Whether he was questioning witnesses in hearings or standing up for federal workers, he led with grit, heart, and passion.”
“I am heartbroken to hear about the passing of Congressman Gerry Connolly,” said Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, D-Va. “Gerry was a colleague, a mentor, and above all, my friend. His humor, his toughness, and his love for his community and country made him one of the most effective members of Congress.”