US Congressman Doug LaMalfa dies unexpectedly at 65

[ad_1] Doug LaMalfa, a Republican Congressman from California, has died unexpectedly at age 65, colleagues introduced on Tuesday.

President Donald Trump supplied a tribute to LaMalfa, saying he wished "to specific our great sorrow on the lack of an important member - an important, nice, nice member".

The congressman's explanation for loss of life was not instantly clear. LaMalfa was a former rice farmer elected to congress in 2013. He targeted on water and agriculture points throughout his tenure.

His loss of life shaved an already-thin Republican majority within the US Home of Representatives to only a few seats, following the resignation on Monday of former Trump ally Marjorie Taylor Greene.

"He was a implausible particular person," Trump stated. "He voted with me 100% of the time."

Minnesota Congressman Tom Emmer referred to as his colleague a "staunch advocate for his constituents and rural America".

LaMalfa earned a level in agriculture enterprise from California Polytechnic State College in San Luis Obispo.

He served as a state lawmaker earlier than being elected to congress, the place he fought for assist for fireplace victims in his northern California district and "labored to guard households from overregulation, guarantee American farmers and ranchers can proceed to feed the world", in response to his congressional web site.

Greene's resignation and LaMalfa's loss of life left Republicans with a 218-213 majority, that means they've solely a two-vote cushion - if three do not vote or facet with Democrats, Republicans lose.

Inside hours after LaMalfa's loss of life was introduced on Tuesday, information emerged that one other Republican congressman had been hospitalized after a automotive wreck.

Indiana Congressman Jim Baird was recuperating and "anticipated to make a full restoration", in response to an announcement posted to social media.

There are at the moment 4 vacancies within the Home with Democrats favoured to fill two of them - in particular elections in Texas on the finish of January, and in New Jersey within the spring.