Bill Pascrell Jr., long-time New Jersey congressman, dies at 87

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Democratic Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., a 14-term incumbent and a fixture in his hometown of Paterson for more than four decades, died Wednesday. He was 87.

Pascrell had been in and out of the hospital with an illness recently. He died Wednesday morning at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, New Jersey, according to his long-time chief of staff, Ben Rich.

“It is with deep sadness that we announce that Bill Pascrell Jr., our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away this morning,” a statement posted on Pascrell’s X account said. “Bill fought to his last breath to return to the job he cherished and to the people he loved.”

Pascrell was slated to run for a 15th term in the fall.

Pascrell was a longtime advocate for emergency responders. He spearheaded the Firefighter Investment and Response Enhancement Act, which delivers grant dollars directly to fire departments across the country.

He was instrumental in getting the Great Falls recognized as a national historical park. The waterfall on the Passaic River in Paterson falls 77 feet and is an emblem of the city and its past as an industrial town. Pascrell used the waterfall on his office’s letterhead.

Known for his candor and willingness to use New Jersey’s reputation for sharp-elbowed politics, he served on the influential House Ways and Means Committee, which handles tax-writing legislation. After Superstorm Sandy devastated the state’s shoreline in 2012, causing $65 billion in damage, and some lawmakers balked at approving aid, he took the House floor to chastise them.

“I don’t think that this is time for a pedantic debate. It’s time to take the gloves off — Jersey style,” Pascrell said. The House passed the legislation