Democratic congressman Raúl Grijalva dies aged 77

Grijalva, who backed environmental causes during 12 terms in Congress, dies from cancer treatment complications

Democratic US representative Raul M Grijalva of Arizona, who championed environmental protection during his 12 terms in Congress, died on Thursday of complications from cancer treatments, his office said.

Grijalva, who was 77, had risen to chair the US House natural resources committee and was the top Democrat on the committee until earlier this year. He had been absent from Congress as he underwent cancer treatment in recent months.