Veteran US Democratic congressman Elijah Cummings, who was heavily involved with the Trump impeachment inquiry, has died at the age of 68.
His office said he had died as a result of “longstanding health challenges”.
As chairman of the House of Representatives Oversight Committee, he had instigated several investigations into the Trump administration.
He also clashed with administration officials over healthcare and immigration.
Earlier this year, during a hearing about migrant detention, Mr Cummings blasted acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan, asking him if the department had an “empathy deficit”.
President Donald Trump responded with a week-long series of tweets and comments attacking the congressman and labelling his majority-black Baltimore district a “disgusting, rat and rodent-infested mess”. Several Democratic lawmakers labelled the comment as racist.
The congressman had experienced several health problems in recent years, and received treatment for a heart condition.
Prominent Democratic lawmakers have paid tribute to Mr Cummings following the news of his death.
“The city of Baltimore, our country and people throughout the world have lost a powerful voice and one of the strongest and most gifted crusaders for social justice,” said Baltimore Mayor Bernard Young.
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A Baltimore native, Mr Cummings was one of seven children born to parents who were the ancestors of slaves.
Mr Cummings worked as a lawyer before his election to Maryland state government, where he rose to become the first black House Speaker.
He was elected to the US House of Representatives in 1996.
In local politics, Mr Cummings was a vocal advocate for social justice issues and the introduction of need exchange programs to reduce the spread of Aids. Mr Cummings was also an early supporter of Barack Obama’s bid for the presidency in 2008.
In January, Mr Cummings was appointed chairman of the House Oversight Committee after Democrats took control of the House.
During his tenure, he engaged in a lengthy court battle with the Trump administration over subpoenas of the president’s personal and financial records.
He also heard testimony from special counsel Robert Mueller about a report into alleged links between Russia and Donald Trump’s election in 2016.
After the hearing, Mr Cummings hit back critics for suggesting Democrats were “just messing with the president because [we don’t like him”.
“It’s not about not liking the president, it’s about loving democracy,” said Mr Cummings. “It’s about loving our country. It’s about making a difference for a generation yet unborn.”
