Virginia Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly, the ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, died Wednesday morning at 75 years old.
“It is with immense sadness that we share that our devoted and loving father, husband, brother, friend, and public servant, Congressman Gerald E. Connolly, passed away peacefully at his home this morning surrounded by family,” the statement said.
“Gerry lived his life to give back to others and make our community better. He looked out for the disadvantaged and voiceless. He always stood up for what is right and just,” a statement from his family added.
“His absence will leave a hole in our hearts, but we are proud that his life’s work will endure for future generations. We thank you for your love of Gerry, and know he loved you all so much.”
Connolly said last month that he would not seek reelection and would leave his leadership role on the influential House Oversight Committee. Connolly stated at the time that his esophageal cancer, which he disclosed in November, had returned.
The news comes just days after former President Joe Biden announced that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Biden’s last known prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test was in 2014, raising doubts about how far his disease has progressed and why it was not detected sooner.
“President Biden’s last known PSA was in 2014. Prior to Friday, President Biden had never been diagnosed with prostate cancer,” a Biden spokesperson told Fox News.
The PSA test is a blood test used primarily to detect prostate cancer. According to the Mayo Clinic, the test detects prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in the blood. PSA is a protein generated by malignant and non-cancerous cells in the prostate, a tiny gland located under the bladder in males.
The Mayo Clinic states that semen, which the prostate also generates, is the most common place to detect it. PSA is normally present in small quantities in the bloodstream.
“The PSA test can detect high levels of PSA that may indicate the presence of prostate cancer,” the clinic states on its website. “However, many other conditions, such as an enlarged or inflamed prostate, also can increase PSA levels. Therefore, determining what a high PSA score means can be complicated.”
Doctors have diagnosed the former president’s prostate cancer with a Gleason score of 9 (grade 5) and “metastasis to bone.” Biden’s cancer score on the Gleason scale, a grading method for prostate cancer severity, raises worries because it is associated with high-grade malignancy.
The fact that Biden’s cancer has been classed as “hormone-sensitive” suggests that it may be more susceptible to hormone therapy, making it more curable.
Biden and his family “are reviewing treatment options with his physicians.”
“Last week, President Joe Biden was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms. On Friday, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone. While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management,” Biden announced in a statement.
The new health diagnosis comes amid the publishing of new books and reports that faulted aides to the former president for hiding his deteriorating mental capacities during his presidency.
Biden’s prostate cancer diagnosis has also raised various concerns about why it was not detected sooner, despite multiple physical tests.
“There are things going on that the public wasn’t informed of. I think somebody’s going to have to speak to his doctor. This is no longer politically correct. This is dangerous for our country. Somebody is not telling the facts,” President Donald Trump said Monday.