Sen. Frank Lautenberg, a World War II veteran who served nearly three decades in the Senate, died early Monday morning in New York at 89.
The New Jersey Democrat — the oldest member of the Senate — had been ill and was a rarely seen presence in Washington in recent months. He died from complications of viral pneumonia, his office said in a statement.Lautenberg's death marks the end of an era on Capitol Hill and in the Senate in particular. Lautenberg was the last World War II veteran in the Senate, the final one of 115 senators to serve in that conflict, according to Senate records. Rep. Ralph Hall (R-Texas) is now the remaining World War II veteran in Congress.New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) can appoint a replacement for Lautenberg, meaning Senate Democrats lose a reliable vote as they take on tough issues like immigration reform this summer.
However, there is some question over whether Christie's appointment would face a special election in November — as Democrats claim — or would serve out the remainder of Lautenberg's term. Democrats are expected to file a legal challenge on this issue in New Jersey.
Lautenberg served two separate stints in the Senate: from 1982 to 2000, and from 2003 until his death this week.
Lautenberg had many legislative accomplishments during his Senate tenure, including boosting transportation funding and championing a ban on smoking on airplanes. He authored the 1984 law that set the minimum drinking age at 21, and also pushed to lower the legal blood-alcohol limit to 0.08 percent.
Read more: politico.com/story/2013/06/frank-lautenberg-dead-92139.html#ixzz2VAbjmyyb
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