Trending Now - Veteran Georgia Congressman David Scott Passes Away at 80
WHO:
CNN - Speaker Mike Johnson expressed sadness over Scott's passing, stating, "We are all deeply saddened by the news of Rep. David Scott’s passing."
AP News - Rep. Angie Craig, the top Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee, remembered Scott as “a strong voice for Georgia’s farmers, hungry veterans and young people.”
CNN - U.S. Rep. David Scott, a Democrat from Georgia, has died at the age of 80.
AP News - David Scott was the first Black chairman of the House Agriculture Committee.
AP News - House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries praised Scott as a trailblazer.
AP News - Rep. Yvette Clarke is the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.
AP News - Scott is survived by his wife, Alfreida Scott, and their adult children and grandchildren.
WHAT:
AP News - Scott was the fourth House Democrat to die in office during the current Congress.
AP News - Scott faced a primary challenge in 2024 and another at the time of his death.
CNN - Scott's death was announced on the House floor.
AP News - Scott was seeking his 13th term in Congress at the time of his death.
AP News - Scott was a prominent member of the Blue Dog caucus and faced criticism due to declining health.
AP News - Scott secured $80 million for historically Black land-grant schools as part of the 2018 Farm Bill.
ABC News - Scott served in the House for more than 23 years, taking office in 2003.
IJR - Scott died shortly after filing paperwork to seek a 13th term in office.
WHERE:
CNN - Scott represented Georgia’s 13th Congressional District.
AP News - Scott was born in rural Aynor, South Carolina, and later settled in Atlanta, Georgia.
WHEN:
CNN - Scott was first elected to Congress in 2002.
CNN - David Scott died on April 19th, 2026.
AP News - Scott was born on June 27th, 1945.
ABC News - Scott cast his final vote in the Capitol on April 19th, 2026.
WHY:
AP News - Scott had been dismissive of pressure to retire, stating in 2024, “Thank God I’m in good health, moving and doing the people’s work.”
AP News - Scott faced challenges from within his party and declining health leading up to his death.
HOW:
AP News - Scott was an outspoken advocate for federal support of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and secured funding for agriculture scholarships for students attending these institutions.
AP News - Scott was an outspoken advocate for federal support of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
(UPDATED April 22, 2026 21:20 UTC)
Speaker Mike Johnson expressed deep sadness over the passing of Representative David Scott, noting that the news has left many heartbroken. Scott, who was first elected to Congress in 2002, was remembered by Rep. Angie Craig as a strong advocate for Georgia's farmers, veterans, and youth, and he was the fourth House Democrat to die in office during the current Congress. Throughout his career, Scott was a vocal supporter of federal funding for historically Black colleges and universities, and he actively worked to secure scholarships for students in agriculture programs.
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(UPDATED April 22, 2026 19:25 UTC)
U.S. Representative David Scott, a Democrat from Georgia, has died at the age of 80, with the announcement made on the House floor on Sunday. Scott, who served in Congress for over 23 years and was the first Black chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, was seeking his 13th term at the time of his passing and was known for securing significant funding for historically Black land-grant schools. He is survived by his wife, Alfreida Scott, along with their adult children and grandchildren, and was remembered by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries as a trailblazer in his field.