WASHINGTON — Rep. Tom Lantos, a California Democrat and chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, announced Wednesday he will not seek re-election this year because he has cancer of the esophagus.
Lantos, 79, is the only Holocaust survivor elected to Congress and is known for his dedication to human- rights issues. He is serving his 14th term, having joined the House in 1981.
According to Lantos’ statement, “routine medical tests” revealed the cancer. It did not provide additional details.
If Democrats retain control of the House after this fall’s elections, the next in line to assume control of the Foreign Affairs Committee would be Rep. Howard Berman, also a California Democrat. If Republicans took control, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., would likely become chairwoman.
The Associated Press
