The House honored the late Democratic Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly on Tuesday by passing a new bill, named for the congressman, that instructs additional oversight of esophageal cancer research.
The Gerald E. Connolly Esophageal Cancer Awareness Act of 2025 passed the House on a voice vote as both parties came together to honor Connolly. Inside the chamber, the House covered a chair with a black blanket and a floral arrangement in Connolly’s memory.
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Connolly died in May after his esophageal cancer reemerged. A little less than a month before his death, the longtime Virginia Democrat stepped down from his position as the ranking member of the Oversight Committee and announced he would not seek reelection in 2026.
The bipartisan bill, originally titled the Esophageal Cancer Awareness Act, was introduced by Connolly and Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-KY). The legislation encourages research into preventive treatments for esophageal cancer and directs the Government Accountability Office to draft a report on the total effect of cancer-related healthcare spending under the Federal Employee Health Benefits program.
Comer called Connolly a “true statesman” in a statement announcing the bill’s renaming and passage out of committee. The chairman said he was proud to co-sponsor eight bills with Connolly.
“In Congress, Gerry Connolly was a friend to many of us. He was steadfast in fighting for what he believed in, but he always committed to bipartisanship where he thought we could agree … I know I’m not alone in that many of my Republican committee colleagues found Gerry Connolly to be a partner,” Comer said.
The race to replace Connolly as the top Democrat on the powerful investigative committee is on June 24. Reps. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Robert Garcia (D-CA), and Kweisi Mfume (D-MD) all launched bids to succeed Connolly.
The Steering Committee will recommend who should get the position, followed by a full caucus vote. The caucus rarely votes against a steering recommendation, meaning that whoever emerges with the committee’s support is likely to become the next ranking member.
Connolly endorsed Lynch as his successor before his death. Lynch has been temporarily serving as the Oversight ranking member.
The special election to replace Connolly in Congress will take place on Sept. 9, with a filing deadline for interested candidates of July 11. The 11th District is a solidly blue district in the northern Virginia suburbs, but the race is expected to draw a crowded primary on both sides of the aisle.
Connolly held the seat for over a decade.
The late congressman endorsed Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw as his successor, and he is seen as a front-runner in the Democratic primary. Potential Democratic candidates also include state Sen. Stella Pekarsky, Fairfax Planning Commissioner Candice Bennett, and attorney Amy Roma.
On the GOP side, Mike Van Meter is back for round two after losing to Conolly in the 2024 elections. He’s the sole Republican candidate as of now.