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California Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R) has sadly died, narrowing the GOP House majority down to a slim 218-213, just as Congress has returned to D.C. for the new year.
Majority Whip Tom Emmer (Minn.) confirmed reports of LaMalfa’s passing on X, writing, “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.”
President Donald Trump also acknowledged the congressman’s passing on Tuesday morning, while speaking at the House GOP Member Retreat at the Trump Kennedy Center.
“I want to express our tremendous sorrow at the loss of a great member…who passed away yesterday, as you probably heard,” President Trump said. “He was the leader of the Western Caucus, a fierce champion on California water issues…and a true defender of American children.”
The president said he was “really saddened” by Rep. LaMalfa’s passing and considered not delivering his speech on Tuesday morning out of respect.
“But then I decided that I have to do it IN his honor…because he would have wanted it that way,” President Trump said.
Former Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene – who just departed Congress this month – also offered her condolences on X.
“I’m sorry to hear of the passing of Congressman Doug LaMalfa,” Greene wrote. “Doug was always kind to everyone. I’m praying for his family and friends.”
It is unclear what the congressman’s cause of death was.
LaMalfa was a fourth-generation rice farmer from Northern California, representing the state’s 1st District. He previously served in the California State Assembly and California State Senate before being elected to the U.S. House in 2012.