A gripping scene unfolded in the U.S. Capitol this week.
The usual political combat suddenly gave way to something unexpected.
And gasps swept through a House hearing when Virginia Foxx broke tragic news of a sudden death.
House Rules Committee members learn of Connolly’s passing during session
The House Rules Committee gathered Wednesday morning for what was expected to be another partisan showdown over the GOP’s tax and spending cuts proposal.
Committee members were deep into the political fray when the shocking news broke.
Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) paused the proceedings to deliver the heartbreaking update.
“I think many people need to hear,” Foxx began. “I just heard that our colleague Gerry Connolly has just passed.”
The announcement was met with an emotional “Oh no!” from one representative off-screen, capturing the raw reaction of lawmakers who had just lost one of their own.
Politics were instantly set aside as members bowed their heads in a solemn moment of silence for their colleague.
“So, I want to ask us all to stop and say a prayer for his family,” Foxx continued. “Please take some time.”
Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA) was given the floor after the moment of silence concluded.
“Certainly a valued colleague,” Scanlon said, visibly moved. “Quite a loss.”
The emotional scene played out live on C-SPAN, showing a rare moment of unity in today’s politically divided Congress.
House Rules Committee reacts to news of the passing of Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) (8:34amET) pic.twitter.com/lxF14FsfPM
— Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) May 21, 2025
Connolly’s family announced his passing on social media
Just minutes before Chairwoman Foxx informed the committee, a statement was posted to Connolly’s official X account announcing the congressman’s death.
— Rep. Gerry Connolly (@GerryConnolly) May 21, 2025
Connolly, 75, had been battling esophageal cancer.
The Virginia Democrat had represented the state’s 11th Congressional District since 2009, serving in Congress for over 15 years.
Prior to his congressional service, Connolly was Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
Tributes from both sides of the aisle began pouring in almost immediately after the news broke.
When Foxx was thanked by committee members for allowing them to pause for reflection, she responded it was “absolutely the right thing to do.”
Colleagues remember Connolly’s service
Connolly was known for his work on the House Oversight Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) called Connolly a sincere friend despite partisan differences in remarks during the morning’s session of his committee, for which Connolly served as ranking member, before announcing an amendment to rename a piece of legislation they’d authored together in Connolly’s memory. The bill was the last Connolly had worked on.
Chairman Comer (@RepJamesComer) remembers Ranking Member Connolly after his passing and offers an amendment to rename the Esophageal Cancer Awareness Act in his memory. pic.twitter.com/DrS7QETwCg
— Oversight Committee (@GOPoversight) May 21, 2025
He was a vocal advocate for federal workers, many of whom lived in his Northern Virginia district.
Fellow Virginia Representative Don Beyer (D) called Connolly “one of the most effective legislators in either party.” in a statement released shortly after the news broke.
“I cannot imagine the House without Gerry. We have been friends for many years, but for the past decade, our partnership was an essential starting point from which so much important work followed. I deeply respect Gerry’s decision to put his constituents first by stepping back, but I will miss him terribly in Congress. Megan and I send our love to Gerry, Smitty, and the Connolly family, with thanks for years of friendship and a great career, and our best hopes for the future,” Connolly’s Democrat college continued.
Connolly had been a consistent voice on issues ranging from Metro funding to government reform during his time in Congress.
His passing creates a vacancy in Virginia’s 11th District, which has been reliably Democrat for years.
While partisan battles will inevitably resume, Wednesday’s moments in the House Rules and Oversight Committees serve as poignant reminders that, beyond political differences, members of Congress are bound by their shared humanity.
Connolly’s death transcended party lines, if only for a moment, as lawmakers paused to honor a colleague who had walked the halls of Congress with them for many years.
The Rules Committee eventually resumed its session, returning to the business of government after paying respect to their fallen colleague.
But the brief moment of unity, though born of tragedy, offered a glimpse of the collegiality that many Americans wish to see more often in Washington.
