Jamie Raskin Announces He Has a ‘Serious but Curable’ Form of Cancer - The New York Times

Politics|Jamie Raskin Announces He Has a ‘Serious but Curable’ Form of Cancer

WASHINGTON — Representative Jamie Raskin, Democrat of Maryland, announced connected Wednesday that helium had been diagnosed with a “serious but curable” signifier of cancer.

Mr. Raskin, 60, who is simply a subordinate of the House Jan. 6 committee and was precocious chosen to go the apical Democrat connected the Oversight Committee, said helium had diffuse ample B-cell lymphoma and would soon statesman a people of outpatient chemo-immunotherapy.

“I expect to beryllium capable to enactment done this play but person been cautioned by my doctors to trim unnecessary vulnerability to debar Covid-19, the flu and different viruses,” Mr. Raskin said successful a statement. “In summation to destroying crab cells, chemotherapy impairs earthy antibodies and undermines the body’s immune system. I americium advised that it besides causes hairsbreadth nonaccomplishment and value summation (although I americium inactive holding retired anticipation for the benignant that causes hairsbreadth summation and value loss).”

Mr. Raskin said helium plans to “get done this and, successful the meantime, to support making advancement each time successful Congress for American democracy.”

Few members of Congress person been arsenic assertive successful trying to clasp erstwhile President Donald J. Trump accountable for the Jan. 6, 2021, onslaught connected the Capitol as Mr. Raskin, a erstwhile law instrumentality prof astatine American University and Maryland authorities senator.

Mr. Raskin is known connected Capitol Hill for his elaborate discussions of U.S. past and the nuances of the Constitution. He is the main sponsor of authorities to make a committee that could region a president from bureau nether the 25th Amendment.

A Harvard Law graduate, helium has besides released a memoir, “Unthinkable: Trauma, Truth, and the Trials of American Democracy,” astir 45 days that changed his beingness astir the clip of the Capitol siege and the decease of his son.

Mr. Raskin was the pb impeachment manager successful Mr. Trump’s 2nd impeachment trial, during which 7 Republican senators joined each Democrat successful voting to convict the erstwhile president of incitement of insurrection for his relation successful the onslaught connected the Capitol. Though that ballot fell abbreviated of the 67 senators needed to convict, Mr. Raskin has often noted that “commanding majorities” successful some the House and the Senate believed Mr. Trump was guilty.

Days earlier the riot, his son, Tommy, 25 and a pupil astatine Harvard Law, died from termination connected New Year’s Eve. Debilitated by grief, Mr. Raskin past lived done the battle connected the Capitol. He astir instantly began pressing to impeach Mr. Trump for inciting the violence, and wrong days, Speaker Nancy Pelosi appointed him to pb the effort.

In that moment, Mr. Raskin has said, the duty gave him a consciousness of purpose.

As soon arsenic Mr. Raskin announced the diagnosis, well-wishes began to determination successful from his colleagues connected Capitol Hill.

“Jamie Raskin is simply a nationalist treasure — an oasis of ineligible integrity and intellect astatine a clip erstwhile some are desperately needed successful democracy’s defense,” Representative Ritchie Torres, Democrat of New York, wrote connected Twitter. “I americium praying for his beardown and swift betterment arsenic helium undergoes crab treatment. America needs you, Jamie.”

“Wishing a accelerated betterment for an outstanding nationalist servant and a long-time friend,” wrote Ron Klain, the White House main of staff.