U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif., has died at age 65.
LaMalfa represented the 1st Congressional District, part of Northern California, and was chair of the Congressional Western Caucus.
His death brings House Republicans’ majority down to 218–213.
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., confirmed LaMalfa’s death on X.
“Jacquie and I are devastated about the sudden loss of our friend, Congressman Doug LaMalfa. Doug was a loving father and husband, and staunch advocate for his constituents and rural America. Our prayers are with Doug’s wife, Jill, and their children,” Emmer said.
LaMalfa was known as a champion of conservative causes as well as a kind man to both reporters and his fellow House lawmakers.
With his death and the recent resignation of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., House Republicans currently can lose only two votes to still pass anything along party lines.
It’s a perilously slim majority as Republicans kick off the second half of the 119th Congress with hopes of passing a second “big, beautiful bill.”
LaMalfa’s death appears to have caught a majority of his colleagues by surprise, with tributes pouring out for the late congressman on Tuesday morning.
“Doug was a principled conservative and a tireless advocate for the people of Northern California. He was never afraid to fight for rural communities, farmers, and working families. Doug brought grit, authenticity, and conviction to everything he did in public service,” said National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) Chairman Richard Hudson, R-N.C.
LaMalfa’s House GOP colleague from California, Rep. Young Kim, R-Calif., said in a statement, “Doug was not only a respected colleague in the California Republican Delegation, but a genuinely kind, decent man who treated everyone with warmth and respect. His leadership, friendship, and steady presence will be deeply missed.”
The news comes just as House Republicans are meeting for an all-day policy brainstorming session at the newly renamed Trump Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
President Donald Trump is addressing GOP lawmakers on Tuesday morning to kick off the day’s events.