USA (Parliament Politics Magazine) – The death of Rep. Doug LaMalfa reduces Republican House majority to 218 seats, intensifying political pressure on Speaker Mike Johnson ahead of elections.
LaMalfa, 65, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday while undergoing emergency surgery. He was a dependable supporter of Johnson’s policies and a fervent supporter of President Donald Trump. Johnson can only lose two Republican votes and still enact party-line legislation as a result of his passing.
At a session for House GOP lawmakers on Tuesday at the Trump-Kennedy Center, Trump supported Johnson.
“A lot of times they’ll say, ‘I wish Mike were tougher,’”
Trump told assembled Republicans.
“He’s tough. He’s tough as anybody in the room, actually. But can’t be tough when you have a majority of three, and now sadly, a little bit less than that.”
The day of LaMalfa’s end coincided with the abdication of Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene. The seat of the now- departed Georgia senator won’t be filled until a special election on March 10. In the meantime, state law authorizes California Governor Gavin Newsom to schedule an election for LaMalfa’s position within the coming two weeks.
But in the forthcoming weeks, Egalitarians are also set to bolster their figures. An election to replace Texas Representative Sylvester Turner, a Democrat, is set for the end of January. Turner passed away in March. Also, in November, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, a Democrat from New Jersey, was tagged governor of her state. A special election to fill her seat is listed for April.
Trump said he had thought about canceling the speech to Republican leaders and dedicated his Tuesday speech to LaMalfa.
“I spoke to Doug, but I didn’t speak to him, you know? I mean, we never had a problem. I was really saddened by his passing and was thinking about not even doing the speech in his honor,”
Trump said.
“But then I decided that I have to do it in his honor. I’ll do it in his honor because he would’ve wanted it that way.”
LaMalfa was well- known for his support of conservative causes and his liberality toward journalists and other members of the House.
In addition to serving as the chair of the Congressional Western Caucus, the congressman represented Northern California’s 1st Congressional District.
How will LaMalfa’s death affect upcoming House votes?
Rep. Doug LaMalfa’s death on January 6, 2026, has reduced the Republican House maturity to a precarious 218- 213 periphery( factoring in Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s concurrent abdication), barring any forbearance for GOP desertions on party- line votes.
Speaker Mike Johnson can get zero Democratic losses on simple majorities if all members attend, but routine absences, illness, trip, sepultures, or campaigning combined with harmonious revolutionists like Rep. Thomas Massie.
Forthcoming special choices for LaMalfa’s safe-red California seat( called by Gov. Newsom within two weeks) and Greene’s Georgia vacancy threat temporary Democrat earnings, while quiz campaigning by GOP members like Chip Roy and Wesley Hunt will further erode attendance, fostering chaos on high- stakes votes amid Johnson’s fragile leadership.
