Rep. Doug LaMalfa’s death shrinks the Republican House majority to 218 seats, creating new challenges for Speaker Mike Johnson in a crucial election year.
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ThedeathofRep.DougLaMalfa,R-Calif.,hasshrunktheRepublicanmajorityintheHouseofRepresentativestotheminimumof218seats,presentingfreshchallengesforSpeakerMikeJohnsonasthepartyheadsintoanelectionyear.
LaMalfa,65,diedsuddenlyonTuesdayduringanemergencysurgery.HewasastaunchallyofPresidentDonaldTrumpandareliablevoteforJohnson’spriorities.HisdeathmeansJohnsoncanonlylosetwoRepublicanvotesandstillpasslegislationalongpartylines.
TrumpralliedbehindJohnsonduringaretreatforHouseGOPlawmakersattheTrump-KennedyCenteronTuesday.
“Alotoftimesthey’llsay,‘IwishMikeweretougher,’”TrumptoldassembledRepublicans.“He’stough.He’stoughasanybodyintheroom,actually.Butcan’tbetoughwhenyouhaveamajorityofthree,andnowsadly,alittlebitlessthanthat.”
SCOOP:HOUSEFREEDOMCAUCUSLAYSOUTGOPBATTLEPLANAHEADOFREPUBLICANS’HUDDLEWITHTRUMP
LaMalfa
