Rep. David Scott becomes 5th member of 119th Congress to die in office
CBS News • • nation
Key Points:
- Democratic Rep. David Scott of Georgia, aged 80, has become the fifth member of the 119th Congress to die in office, highlighting the impact of member deaths on a narrowly divided House with Republicans holding 218 seats and Democrats 212.
- All five members who died since January 2025 were between 65 and 87 years old, reflecting concerns about the age and health of Congress members, with 117 members over 70 and 19 over 80 at the start of the 119th Congress.
- Other members who died in office during the 119th Congress include Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfa (65), who died during surgery; Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly (75), who had cancer; Democratic Rep. Raúl Grijalva (77), who also battled cancer; and Democratic Rep. Sylvester Turner (70).
- These deaths underscore ongoing challenges related to the age and health of Congress members, as well as the potential legislative impact given the slim GOP majority and the importance of every vote.
