Republican Doug LaMalfa, a California rice farmer who served seven terms in the U.S. House and was a reliable vote on President Donald Trump's agenda, died at age 65. His death trims the Republicans' narrow House majority to 218 seats versus Democrats' 213. The congressman experienced a medical emergency Monday night, was taken to a local hospital and died during a surgical procedure; officials have not disclosed the cause. Trump expressed tremendous sorrow, saying LaMalfa voted with him 100% and was not a 3 a.m. person he had to call. LaMalfa represented California's rural 1st District, served on agriculture and other committees, and planned to run for reelection despite a voter-backed redistricting measure.
"Trump expressed "tremendous sorrow" over LaMalfa's death as he addressed a meeting of House Republicans on Tuesday, lamenting the loss of a lawmaker he championed as an ally for his agenda. He said the late congressman "wasn't a 3 o'clock in the morning person" like other lawmakers he would call in the wee hours to lobby for their votes. "He voted with me 100% of the time," Trump said. "With Doug, I never had to call.""
"LaMalfa, a fourth-generation rice farmer, was elected to Congress in 2012 after serving in the state Legislature. He represented California's 1st District, which covered a vast portion of the state's rural North, spanning from the Oregon border down to just north of the capital, Sacramento. He was a regular presence on the House floor, helping GOP leadership open the chamber and frequently offering his view on local and national affairs."
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