Rep. Raúl Grijalva dies at 77

Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), a more than two-decade veteran of the House who rose to high levels of power in the Democratic Caucus, died on Thursday. He was 77.

A fixture of progressive politics in Washington, Grijalva was a well-known figure in Congress, recognized nationally for his appearances in committee rooms and on cable television spots, and locally for more informal interactions on Capitol Hill. He served as Natural Resources Committee chair and co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus

“The Office of the 7th District of Arizona is saddened to announce the passing of Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva. Rep. Grijalva fought a long and brave battle. He passed away this morning due to complications of his cancer treatments,” the statement reads.

The Arizona Democrat was the longest-serving member of Arizona’s congressional delegation, having been first sworn in 2003. He was re-elected to serve a 12th term in November, but had been absent for the opening weeks of the new Congress as he fought lung cancer.

Grijalva announced his cancer diagnosis in April 2024, revealing a few months later in July that he completed treatment. In October, he said the 2024 election, which he won handedly, would be his last.

Grijalva’s last public appearance in the Capitol was on Jan. 3, when lawmakers convened to formally begin the 119th Congress and elect a Speaker.

Grijalva’s open seat will have immediate ramifications in the House. With this vacancy, the new breakdown in the lower chamber is 218 Republicans and 213 Democrats, meaning the GOP can lose two votes on any party-line effort and still get it over the finish line, giving Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) more wiggle room in his razor-thin majority.

Grijalva is the second House Democrat to pass away in this month. Rep. Sylvester Turner (D-Texas) died last week.

Grijalva, the longtime Democratic leader on the House Natural Resources Committee, was a forceful fighter against many Trump-era efforts to ease environmental regulations.

He was also a powerful voice for environmental justice — highlighting the harms that disproportionately fell on lower income people of color.

“He was steadfast in his commitment to produce lasting change through environmental policies — as he would say, ‘it’s for the babies.’ He led the Natural Resources Committee without fear of repercussion, but with an urgency of the consequences of inaction,” his staff said in a statement.

“In doing so, Rep. Grijalva also had the privilege to stand with communities across the country — from the San Carlos Apache near Oak Flat to the residents of Louisiana’s Cancer Alley — where residents are bravely fighting for justice after decades of industry pollution and exploitation,” they added.

Grijalva was pushed aside from committee leadership in the wake of his cancer treatments, however, as other lawmakers complained he was unable to attend meetings and was infrequently spotted on the Hill after his diagnosis.

Grijalva was a regular at a Capitol Hill dive bar, Tune Inn, and was often spotted there after votes, eager to chat and joke with reporters, staff and lawmakers alike.

Grijalva’s staff stressed his openness to all.

“Rep. Grijalva’s kind and humble nature was known to many. He was approachable by all because he believed people should be treated as equals. He loved to give gifts, blare music in his office, and get to know people for who they are.”

Updated at 6:11 p.m.

Topics

Democratic Rep. Raúl Grijalva of Arizona dies at 77

Longtime Rep. Raúl Grijalva, D-Ariz., a leading progressive voice on the environment and climate change, died Thursday from “complications of his cancer treatment,” his office announced in a ...
NBC News - 2d
Rep. Raúl Grijalva dies at 77

The 12-term Arizona Democrat had been under treatment for cancer.
Politico - 2d
Rep. Raúl Grijalva dies at 77

The 12-term Arizona Democrat had been under treatment for cancer.
Politico - 2d
Rep. Raul M. Grijalva of Arizona, a Democratic Progressive in the House, Dies at 77

The son of an immigrant, he represented a majority Hispanic district in Arizona for 12 terms but had lately been absent from Capitol Hill while being treated for cancer.
The New York Times - 1d
Liberals eulogize Grijalva: 'A real giant of the House'

Progressive Democrats wasted no time eulogizing the legacy of Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), a progressive lion of the lower chamber who died on Thursday at the age of 77 after a battle with lung ...
The Hill - 2d
Democratic congressman Raúl Grijalva dies aged 77

Grijalva, who backed environmental causes during 12 terms in Congress, dies from cancer treatment complications. Democratic US representative Raúl M Grijalva of Arizona , who championed ...
The Guardian - 2d
Democratic Rep. Raul Grijalva dies after battle with cancer

Grijalva had served in the House since 2003 and was a former co-chair of the House Progressive Caucus.
ABC News - 2d
Raúl Grijalva, Democratic congressman, dies after cancer battle

The Arizona lawmaker's office said he died "due to complications of his cancer treatments."
CBS News - 2d
Republican subcommittee chair misgenders Rep. Sarah McBride

During a House subcommittee hearing Rep. Keith Self, R-Texas, misgendered Rep. Sarah McBride, D-Del. Rep. Bill Keating, D-Mass., called out Self and after a confrontation the meeting was ended ...
NBC News - 4d
Michigan State falls in Big Ten Tournament semis, 77-74, to Wisconsin

Wisconsin has ended Michigan State basketball's Big Ten Tournament run in the semifinal in a hard fought 77-74 game
Yahoo Sports - 4h
Rep. Golden: Democrats had no 'leverage' in shutdown fight

Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) joins Meet the Press NOW to discuss his choice to diverge from House Democrats and vote in favor of the Trump-backed stopgap funding bill as it makes its way through the ...
NBC News - 1d
Plotnikov's 23 help Hofstra beat North Carolina A&T 77-55 in Coastal Athletic Association Tournament

Led by German Plotnikov's 23 points, the Hofstra Pride defeated the North Carolina A&T Aggies 77-55 in the Coastal Athletic Association Tournament on Friday
ABC News - Mar. 7
Price's 22 help Washington State down Loyola Marymount 94-77 in West Coast Conference Tournament

Led by Ethan Price's 22 points, the Washington State Cougars defeated the Loyola Marymount Lions 94-77 in the West Coast Conference Tournament
ABC News - 6d
Lendeborg's 30 points lead third-seeded UAB past No. 6 seed East Carolina 94-77 in AAC quarterfinals

The third-seeded UAB Blazers defeated the No. 6 seed East Carolina Pirates 94-77 in the American Athletic Conference Tournament quarterfinals
ABC News - 19h
Former Rep. Katie Porter launches run for California governor

Former Democratic Rep. Katie Porter is running for governor of California, injecting another well-known name into the race to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom.
NBC News - 4d
Packers, OL Aaron Banks agree to 4-year, $77 million deal: Report

Jordan Love is getting another solid guard this fall. The Packers struck a four-year, $77 million deal to land 49ers offensive lineman Aaron Banks, according to the NFL Network.
Yahoo Sports - 4d
Wright puts up 24 as No. 2 North Texas knocks off No. 10 Tulsa 77-59 in AAC quarterfinals

Led by Atin Wright's 24 points, the second-seeded North Texas Mean Green defeated the Tulsa Golden Hurricane 77-59 in the American Athletic Conference Tournament quarterfinals
ABC News - 20h
Lendeborg's 30 points lead third-seeded UAB past No. 6 seed East Carolina 94-77 in AAC quarterfinals

Yaxel Lendeborg's 30 points led third-seeded UAB past sixth-seeded East Carolina 94-77 on Friday in the American Athletic Conference Tournament quarterfinals. UAB will take on No. 2 seed North ...
Yahoo Sports - 19h
Tonje scores 32 as No. 18 Wisconsin tops No. 7 Michigan St. 77-74 in Big Ten semis

John Tonje scored 32 points and grabbed seven rebounds to help No. 18 Wisconsin beat No. 7 Michigan State 77-74 on Saturday in the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament.
Yahoo Sports - 2h
Rep. Frost on ICE arrest of Columbia graduate: 'This should scare everyone'

Democratic lawmakers are condemning the arrest of a former Columbia University student by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the revocation of his legal status in the United States, ...
The Hill - 4d
Former Orange County Rep. Katie Porter announces run for California governor

Former Orange County Rep. Katie Porter made the announcement Tuesday morning, joining a long list of other Democrats hoping to fill Gov. Gavin Newsom's seat next year.
CBS News - 4d
Rep. Roae wants study, reform of PIAA in wake of fight

HARRISBURG — State Rep. Brad Roae has reiterated his support for a Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LBFC) study of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA). Roae, a ...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Rep. Pramila Jayapal introduces bill to impede Trump's undocumented migrant registry

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., introduced a bill Friday that would prevent the Trump administration from using a World War II-era law that allowed for the forced incarceration of Japanese Americans ...
NBC News - 1d
Trump, Johnson on Rep. Massie's stance against plan to avoid government shutdown

President Trump is slamming Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie over his position on the continuing resolution to keep the government funded. Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson says he will have enough ...
CBS News - 4d
Trump vows to help oust Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky

President Trump is leading the charge to oust Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky after he said he would not support the GOP-led short-term funding bill to keep the government open. Brakkton ...
CBS News - 4d
No. 2 Houston overcomes J'Wan Roberts' ankle injury to beat Colorado 77-69 in Big 12 quarterfinal

Emanuel Sharpe scored 19 points before fouling out, and No. 2 Houston overcame an injury to veteran forward J'Wan Roberts in the second half to beat Colorado 77-68 on Thursday and advance to the ...
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Arizona pulls away late to beat Kansas 88-77 in a Big 12 Conference Tournament quarterfinal

Henri Veesaar and KJ Lewis scored 19 points apiece and Arizona pulled away late to beat Kansas 88-77 in a Big 12 Conference Tournament quarterfinal at T-Mobile Center on Thursday night. Veesaar ...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
North Carolina Central upsets Delaware State 79-77 in MEAC Tournament quarterfinal

Perry Smith Jr. scored 22 points and Isaac Parson flipped in the game-winner on a reverse layup with one second left as North Carolina Central pulled off the upset with a 79-77 victory over ...
ABC News - 1d
Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna eyes anti-corruption agenda in bid to reform party

California Rep. Ro Khanna is not only taking stock of the Democrats' stinging defeat last fall, but also taking shots at his own political party.
ABC News - 5d
House Republican adjourns hearing after exchange over misgendering Rep. Sarah McBride

Rep. Keith Self, R-Texas, recognized McBride, D-Del., to speak and misgendered her in the process. McBride is the first openly trans member of Congress.
NBC News - 3d
'Tremendous mistake': Rep. Ocasio-Cortez blasts Schumer over GOP funding plan vote

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s decision to vote for the House GOP funding bill "a tremendous mistake."
ABC News - 1d
Sixers rookie Adem Bona talks biggest NBA lesson, reps needed to grow

Philadelphia 76ers rookie Adem Bona discusses his biggest NBA lessons he's learned and the reps he needs to grow as a player.
Yahoo Sports - 9h
Gene Hackman died of heart disease, his wife died of hantavirus about 1 week prior, authorities say

Authorities have revealed that actor Gene Hackman died of heart disease and showed severe signs of Alzheimer’s disease a full week after his wife died of hantavirus in their home
ABC News - Mar. 7
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick says "it remains to be seen" if GOP can pass bill to avoid shutdown

Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi, who is one of the bipartisan co-chairs of the House Problem Solvers Caucus, tells "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" that he will be voting against the continuing ...
CBS News - 6d
Transcript: Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick and Tom Suozzi on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," March 9, 2025

The following is the transcript of an interview with Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, Republican of Pennsylvania, and Tom Suozzi, Democrat of New York, that aired on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" ...
CBS News - 6d
GOP Rep. Mark Harris says Trump has done 'tremendous job' making case against Education Department

Rep. Mark Harris (R-N.C.) said on Tuesday that President Trump successfully made the case against the Department of Education during his 2024 campaign, leading more Republicans to support the ...
The Hill - 3d
Ex-NBA player, entrepreneur Bridgeman dies at 71

Junior Bridgeman, a former NBA sixth man who became a billionaire philanthropist and Bucks minority owner, has died at the age of 71.
ESPN - 3d
Sports columnist, author Feinstein dies at age 69

John Feinstein, whose career as a columnist and bestselling author of sports books made him one of the most notable sportswriters of his time, died Thursday.
ESPN - 1d
Gene Hackman died of natural causes days after wife died of rare respiratory virus

Cause of Betsy Arakawa’s death was hantavirus pulmonary syndrome while Hackman died of heart disease, with advanced Alzheimer’s disease contributing. The actor Gene Hackman died of natural causes ...
The Guardian - Mar. 7