Democrat Leader Connolly Steps Down from Oversight Panel Due to Progressing Cancer Condition

Rep. Gerry Connolly Announces Retirement After Decade in Congress

Rep. Gerry Connolly, a Democratic representative from Virginia, has announced that he will not seek re-election for the upcoming term in Congress. This decision marks the end of a decade-long career in the House of Representatives for Connolly, who has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration and a staunch advocate for federal employees and IT modernization.

Connolly, who represents a Fairfax-area district that is home to tens of thousands of federal employees, first entered Congress in 2008. Since then, he has been a steadfast public servant, serving his constituents with honor and integrity.

One of Connolly's most notable achievements was co-sponsoring the Federal IT Acquisition Reform Act in 2014. This legislation aimed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of federal IT acquisition by promoting competition, enhancing transparency, and streamlining the procurement process.

Connolly has also been a leading voice in the fight for federal IT modernization. He shepherded the biannual FITARA scorecard, which assesses agencies' IT modernization and acquisition efforts, and has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration's efforts to overhaul the federal government.

In addition to his work on IT modernization, Connolly has been a champion for federal employees. He has introduced legislation every year to increase federal employee salaries and has been a vocal advocate for improving working conditions for federal employees.

In November, Connolly announced that he has esophageal cancer and is undergoing treatment. Despite initial success with grueling treatments, Connolly's cancer has returned. In a heartfelt email to his constituents, he wrote that their support has given him strength in his fights against cancer and in defense of democracy.

House Democrats appointed Connolly to serve as ranking member on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, where he has been a watchdog for government accountability and transparency. However, Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., will step back from his position as the top Democrat on the committee.

James Comer (R-Ky.) takes over the leadership of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee after Connolly leaves the position. Comer expressed support for Connolly, stating that he is a "steadfast public servant who has spent his career serving Northern Virginians with honor and integrity."

Connolly has been one of the most vocal critics of the Trump administration's efforts to overhaul the federal government. He has urged inspectors general who Trump fired to "show up for work in defiance of the unlawful terminations." Based on whistleblower disclosures, Connolly revealed that the Department of Government Efficiency is building a single, cross-agency database of sensitive information.

As Connolly steps back from his role in Congress, he leaves behind a legacy of service and advocacy. His efforts to improve federal IT acquisition and support federal employees will continue to have a lasting impact on the government and the people it serves.

Democrat Leader Connolly Steps Down from Oversight Panel Due to Progressing Cancer Condition