Former House Speaker Tom Foley, who led the chamber from 1989 to 1995, has died, according to his family. He was 84.
The Associated Press says Foley's wife, Heather, confirmed that the Washington state Democrat died at his Washington, D.C., home.
He had reportedly been in ill health in recent months.
The AP says:
"Foley became the first speaker since the Civil War to fail to win re-election in his home district.
"The courtly politician lost his seat in the 'Republican Revolution' of 1994. The Democrat had never served a single day in the minority. He was defeated by Republican Spokane lawyer George Nethercutt.
"Foley served as U.S. ambassador to Japan for four years during the Clinton administration. But he spent the most time in the House, serving 30 years including more than five as speaker."