Doug LaMalfa, California Republican congressman, dies aged 65

"No cause of death has been announced, but the Butte county sheriff's office announced that LaMalfa died during an emergency surgical procedure at a local hospital after emergency responders transported him there on Monday evening. The sheriff's office said in a statement that it had received a call about a medical emergency at LaMalfa's home shortly before 7pm on 5 January. He was transported to a hospital in Chico, where he underwent emergency surgery and died during the procedure."

"The National Republican Congressional Committee chair, Richard Hudson, said he was deeply saddened by the passing of my colleague and close friend. Doug was a principled conservative and a tireless advocate for the people of northern California, Hudson said in a statement. 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."

"The House majority whip, Tom Emmer of Minnesota, paid tribute to LaMalfa in a statement posted on social media. Doug was a loving father and husband, and staunch advocate for his constituents and rural America, Emmer said. His sudden passing reduces the House Republican majority to 218-213, leaving GOP leadership with an even slimmer margin to pass their legislative agenda. After the departure of representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia on Monday, Republicans can now afford to lose only two votes on party-line measures."

Doug LaMalfa, 65, represented California's rural northern region in the House for seven terms and was a fourth-generation rice farmer. He served on the House agriculture, natural resources, and transportation and infrastructure committees and previously served in the California state legislature. LaMalfa experienced a medical emergency at his home shortly before 7pm on 5 January, was transported to a Chico hospital, underwent emergency surgery and died during the procedure; no cause of death has been announced. Republican officials described him as a principled conservative and tireless advocate for rural communities, farmers and working families. His death reduces the House Republican majority to 218-213, narrowing the margin after a recent departure and leaving Republicans able to lose only two votes on party-line measures.

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