Capitol statuary hall just fell quiet as guests filter in for Rep. Elijah Cummings’ lie in state ceremony.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to speak. @CourthouseNews
Spotted— Rev. Al Sharpton and Morning Joe host, fmr House Rep, seated side by side along with Mika Brzezinski.
Who’s who of DC politics here.
Jerry Nadler, Paul Ryan, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Mark Meadows, Adam Schiff, Ted Cruz, Amy Klobuchar and dozens more waiting on the body of Elijah Cummings to arrive.
Just arrived Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
Camera shutters only sound in the room.
Cummings will be the first black lawmaker to ever lie in state inside the US Capitol. He died on Oct 17 at age 68.
Cummings once chaired the Congressional Black Caucus, members seated together in the crowd this morning.
Rep. Cummings’ body has arrived, now resting at the front of the room draped with velvet red curtains encircled by statues of Americans including civil rights icon Rosa Parks.
Near his casket are 2 red & white rose wreaths, one with a banner that says senate, another house.
Opening up with prayer from Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, here’s what’s next:
Comments from House and Senate leaders focused on Cummings' resounding legacy but steered clear of politics with the exception of one comment by Speaker Pelosi:
“It was in defense of the children at the border that Elijah said 'We can be better.'”
Cummings chaired the House Oversight Committee with three Dems on the #Squad sitting as freshmen members including @AOC.
Pelosi said Cummings asked for it -- “Give me as many freshmen as you can. I love their potential and I want to help them realize it.”
Rep Ayanna Presley seen wiping away tears as she gathered around the casket with other members of the Congressional Black Caucas.
Earlier, Rep Mark Meadows, Republican and longtime friend of Cummings choked up giving his remarks.
Guests are now passing the casket & headed out.
“His authority came not from the office he held, nor from the timber of his voice, nor its sometimes thundering boom. It came from the moral force of his life.” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said this morning at the ceremony for Elijah Cummings.
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