Cushing, a graduate of both the University of Idaho and Boise State, began working for McClure in Washington in 1977 and rose to be staff director of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee while Republican McClure was chairman.

Cushing spent 30 years on Capitol Hill and was widely respected by Republicans and Democrats alike.

From 2005 to 2008, Cushing was staff director of the House Appropriations Committee and his portrait hangs in the U.S. Capitol.

According to Roll Call, Cushing died Monday from "sudden and aggressive brain cancer."

Cushing retired from government in 2008 and was a partner at Oldaker Law Group, lobbying Congress on appropriations, budget, science, energy and environment issues.

A memorial will be held Monday at Columbia Baptist Church in Falls Church, Va., where Cushing was a deacon.