New Jersey Senator Frank Lautenberg, the Senate's oldest member, died of viral pneumonia this morning, according to his office. He was 89 years old and had been battling health problems.
Via North Jersey.com:
The oldest member of the Senate, Lautenberg had struggled with health problems since late last year, when he missed several weeks of votes because of what he said was flu and bronchitis.
The death of Lautenberg, a Democrat who was the longest-serving senator in New Jersey history, creates a vacancy that Governor Christie, a Republican, will fill.
USA Today:
Lautenberg's office said he died from complications stemming from viral pneumonia at 4:02 a.m. ET at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornelll.RIP
Lautenberg, who battled stomach cancer and various ailments in recent years, had already announced that he would retire in January 2015 at the end of his fifth term and not seek re-election next year. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican, will appoint a replacement.
Lautenberg had been battling muscle fatigue and weakness in his legs for more than a month when he made a dramatic return to the U.S. Capitol on April 17 to vote on bills to reduce gun violence, one of his pet issues. He was ushered onto the Senate floor in a wheelchair, and proudly called out "aye" in support of expanded background checks on gun purchases -- a measure that ultimately failed. On the same day, Lautenberg's amendment to impose a 10-round limit on ammunition clips was also rejected.