Democrats were left reeling this week by the death of former longtime New York Rep. Charles Rangel.

According to Breitbart, Rangel passed away on Monday at the age of 94, with his death being confirmed in a statement released by City College of New York spokesperson Michelle Stent.

Rangel spent nearly 50 years in Congress

Breitbart noted that Rangel first entered the House of Representatives in 1970 when he defeated fellow Democrat Adam Clayton Powell in 1970 and remained in office until 2017.

During his time on Capitol Hill, Rangel rose to become dean of the New York congressional delegation and also founded the Congressional Black Caucus.

He was a vocal opponent of the Iraq War and of former Vice President Dick Cheney, once saying he preferred to believe that the vice president was "sick rather than just mean and evil."

Rangel was also a vociferous opponent of President Donald Trump and likened Trump's 2016 election victory to a "nightmare."

"I keep waking up thinking that it’s a dream, bad dream," the then lawmaker was quoted as telling the Associated Press.

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries calls Rangel "a friend and mentor"

Breitbart noted that news of Rangel's death was followed by tributes from his admirers, including House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

"Known as the Lion of Lenox Avenue, and to me as a friend and mentor, Chairman Rangel was truly one-of-a-kind," Jeffries wrote in a statement.

Rep. Charlie Rangel was a phenomenal patriot, hero, statesman, leader, trailblazer, change agent & champion for justice.

The Lion of Lenox Ave was a transformational force of nature.

Harlem, NYC & America are better today because of his service. May he forever rest in power. pic.twitter.com/rLqqBmAsGY

— Hakeem Jeffries (@RepJeffries) May 26, 2025

The lawmaker went on to hail Rangel as "a patriot, hero, statesman, leader, trailblazer, change agent and champion for justice who made his beloved Harlem, the City of New York and the United States of America a better place for all."

Rangel remembered as a decorated combat veteran who "broke barriers"

Jeffries' statement went on to recall how Rangel was a decorated Army veteran, having been awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his service in the Korean War.

It also noted that after being elected to Congress, Rangel "broke barriers as the first African American to Chair the Ways and Means Committee."

Jeffries concluded by praising Rangel for leading "a life of public service that is second to none" and added, "May Charles B. Rangel forever Rest in Power."