BREAKING: Republican Congressman Dies At 65

Some tragic news has surfaced from California.

Republican Representative Doug LaMalfa has passed away at the age of 65.

LaMalfa’s death was announced by his chief of staff in a press release, but the cause of LaMalfa’s death was not revealed.

CNBC reported more on LaMalfa’s sudden death:

California Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfa died Tuesday, his office announced. He was 65.

“Early this morning Congressman Doug LaMalfa returned home to the Lord. He leaves a lasting legacy of servant leadership kindness to the North State,” LaMalfa’s chief of staff, Mark Spannagel, said in a statement. “Congressman LaMalfa cared deeply for the people he served and worked tirelessly to hold the government to its word to fix our failing forests, build water storage, and leave people to be free to choose what is best for themselves.”

LaMalfa’s death tightens the razor-thin House majority and could imperil Speaker Mike Johnson’s grip on the chamber. The House stood at 219 Republicans and 213 Democrats after Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., resigned on Monday. LaMalfa’s death brings the House to 218 Republicans.

Democrats are favored to pick up additional seats from special elections in the coming months. Two Democrats are in a runoff in Texas at the end of the month, and the election to replace now-New Jersey Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill will take place later this year.

LaMalfa represented California’s 1st Congressional District since 2013. He chaired the Congressional Western Caucus.

Tributes came pouring in:

House Republicans mourn the loss of Congressman Doug LaMalfa.

A lifelong resident of Northern California and a fourth-generation rice farmer, Congressman LaMalfa spent more than two decades in public service. He proudly represented California’s 1st Congressional District from… pic.twitter.com/nTFSiEXUlE

— House Republicans (@HouseGOP) January 6, 2026

I am profoundly heartbroken to hear of the passing of my close friend, Congressman Doug LaMalfa. Before serving together in Congress, we weren’t just colleagues in the California State Legislature, we were roommates.

Doug was first and foremost a devoted husband and father,… pic.twitter.com/haAPzKRWZS

— Kevin McCarthy (@SpeakerMcCarthy) January 6, 2026

Fox News reported President Trump honored LaMalfa during his speech at the Kennedy Center on Tuesday:

President Donald Trump dedicated his speech before Republican lawmakers on Tuesday to late Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif., after the congressman’s sudden death earlier in the day.

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Trump was previously scheduled to address the House GOP members retreat at the Trump-Kennedy Center on Tuesday, but he said he nearly canceled the plans after learning of LaMalfa’s death. The president praised LaMalfa for always standing by him in votes, and said it was to his credit that Trump never had to call him to rally his support.

“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.”

“He would’ve said, ‘Do that speech! Are you kidding me? Do the speech,'” he continued. “He was a fantastic person. Man, that was a quick one. I don’t know quite yet what happened, but boy is that a tough one. He was just with us. He was our friend. All of us, every one of us.”

LaMalfa, 65, died Tuesday morning, but the circumstances of his passing have yet to be confirmed.

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.

Watch Trump here:

"I want to express our tremendous sorrow at the loss of a great member — a great, great, great member — Congressman Doug LaMalfa, who passed away yesterday… our hearts go out to his wife, Jill and his entire family." 🇺🇸❤️pic.twitter.com/tySLWmchjV

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 6, 2026