Virginia Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly, the ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, passed away Wednesday morning at the age of 75. According to a statement from his family, Connolly died peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones. “Gerry lived his life to give back to others and make our community better,” the family said, describing him as a devoted public servant who stood up for the disadvantaged and voiceless. Connolly had announced last month that he would not seek reelection and would step down from his committee role, following the return of his esophageal cancer, which he originally disclosed in November.

Connolly’s death comes just days after former President Joe Biden revealed he has been diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer. The diagnosis followed Biden’s recent urinary symptoms and the discovery of a prostate nodule. According to medical reports, the cancer has a Gleason score of 9—indicating a high-grade tumor—and has metastasized to the bone. Despite the severity, Biden’s cancer is considered hormone-sensitive, which may allow for effective treatment through hormone therapy. The revelation has raised questions about how the illness went undetected, given that Biden’s last prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test was reportedly in 2014. The White House says the president is now reviewing treatment options with his physicians. Former President Donald Trump responded to the news by suggesting that the public hasn’t been given the full truth, saying, “This is dangerous for our country. Somebody is not telling the facts.”