Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., Veteran Democrat and 'Corner' Stalwart, Dies at 87

Bill Pascrell Jr., a veteran Democratic congressman from New Jersey, passed away on August 23, 2024, at the age of 87. Known for his distinctive personality and political acumen, Pascrell represented an increasingly rare breed of politicians in the modern Democratic Party.

Pascrell's political journey began in Paterson, New Jersey, once known as "Silk City" for its dominance in silk production during the early 20th century. He served as mayor of Paterson before winning his first House term in 1996, following the Republican "tidal wave" of 1994 that saw the GOP gain control of the House for the first time in four decades.

Throughout his congressional career, Pascrell was a fixture in "The Corner" of the House chamber, an unofficial but influential group of Democrats. This area, originally known as the "Pennsylvania Corner," was long associated with former congressman John P. Murtha. The group symbolized the 20th-century Democratic Party, built upon political machines honed in ethnic neighborhoods – a style of politics that was prevalent in American politics from the 1870s to the 1960s.

Pascrell's legislative work focused on infrastructure projects through the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, one of the largest in Congress. He later served on the influential Ways and Means Committee, the oldest committee of the United States Congress. In 2000, he championed the Fire Act to support local fire departments, which was recently updated and signed into law by President Biden in June 2024.

The congressman was known for his ability to maintain constructive debate with Republicans while also being unafraid to engage in heated exchanges. In 2017, he led efforts to obtain then-President Trump's tax returns, a contentious issue given the tradition of presidential tax return releases dating back to the 1970s.

Pascrell's political savvy was evident in his ability to adapt to changing landscapes. In June 2024, he won a primary challenge with nearly 77% of the vote, demonstrating his enduring appeal to constituents despite the increasing prevalence of primary challenges to incumbent members of Congress.

Colleagues remember Pascrell fondly for his loyalty, work ethic, and colorful personality. He was a regular participant in the Congressional Baseball Game, an annual bipartisan tradition dating back to 1909, playing well into his 70s before transitioning to a coaching role.

"They don't make them like Billy Pascrell anymore. God, I'm gonna miss him."

As the Democratic Party evolves, figures like Pascrell represent a vanishing era of American politics. His passing marks the end of a chapter in the House Democratic Caucus, leaving behind a legacy of dedicated public service and a unique political style that bridged old-school machine politics with modern legislative challenges.