Spain, Madrid - 30 June, 2022: U.S. Representative Gerry Connolly attends the NATO summit in Madrid, Spain. Image: Belish/Shutterstock.com
A key Democrat on the House committee that oversees federal workplace matters, Rep. Gerald Connolly, D-Va., has decided to step down from his position as ranking Democrat and that he further will not run for re-election after finishing this term.
Connolly announced that after being in remission for a time, his cancer has returned and “With no rancor and a full heart, I move into this final chapter full of pride in what we’ve accomplished together over 30 years.”
Connolly, who represents a federal employee-heavy district in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., has been one of the most active members of Congress federal personnel policy and other workplace issues, acting as a main advocate for federal employees over his career. He annually sponsored legislation to boost the federal raise above the White House proposal—even during Democratic administrations—and has been an outspoken critic of Trump administration policies and actions virtually across the board.
Before Republicans recaptured the House after the 2022 elections, Connolly had chaired a subcommittee on government technology and was a leading force behind creation of the Technology Management Fund and several laws on government IT. He became ranking Democrat on the full committee at the start of this Congress when Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland left to take that role on the Judiciary Committee.
Committee chairman Rep. James Comer, D-Ky.—who regularly has clashed with Connolly over workplace policies and the committee’s priorities—called Connolly “a steadfast public servant who has spent his career serving Northern Virginians with honor and integrity. It’s an honor to serve the American people alongside him and I am rooting for him as he battles cancer once again.”
Connolly did not state when he expects to step down other than to say it would be “soon.” At that time, it would be up to House Democrats to choose a replacement.
Key Bills Advancing, but No Path to Avoid Shutdown Apparent
TSP Adds Detail to Upcoming Roth Conversion Feature
White House to Issue Rules on RIF, Disciplinary Policy Changes
DoD Announces Civilian Volunteer Detail in Support of Immigration Enforcement
See also,
How Do Age and Years of Service Impact My Federal Retirement
The Best Ages for Federal Employees to Retire
How to Challenge a Federal Reduction in Force (RIF) in 2025
Should I be Shooting for a $1M TSP Balance? Depends…