The United States Capitol in Washington, Thursday, April 18, 2024 (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)
WASHINGTON — U.S. Republican Doug LaMalfa died in a car crash and Indiana Republican Jim Baird was injured in a car crash, President Donald Trump announced Tuesday.
Speaking to a meeting of House Republicans at the Kennedy Center, Trump said he wanted to express “our enormous sadness” over LaMalfa’s death and said the congressman was a “fierce advocate for water issues in California.”
“I also want to send my best wishes to Congressman Jim Baird and his wife, who are recovering from a car accident. They’ll be fine. But they had a really bad accident,” Trump said. “We pray that they will get out of the hospital very soon. He will be fine. She will be fine. But it was a serious accident.”
LaMalfa’s cause of death was not immediately clear Tuesday morning. The Butte County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that it received a 911 call from LaMalfa’s home Monday evening regarding a medical emergency.
According to the sheriff’s office, the congressman was taken to Enloe Hospital, where he died during emergency surgery.
“In accordance with standard protocols, the Butte County Sheriff’s Office Coroner Unit is conducting an investigation to determine the cause of death,” the statement read. “As part of this investigation, a forensic pathologist will perform an autopsy.”
LaMalfa’s death will shrink Republicans’ already slim majority in the House, making it more complex for that chamber’s leaders to pass legislation that is not bipartisan.
Georgia Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene’s resignation earlier this weekcombined with LaMalfa’s death reduces the GOP majority to 218 seats.
Baird’s absence until he recovers and can vote in person will further reduce that number to 217. That number could be further narrowed by GOP lawmakers missing votes for other reasons.
Democrats control 213 seats in the House of Representatives, giving GOP leaders virtually no margin to withdraw partisan bills.
LaMalfa, 65, was first sworn in as a member of Congress in January 2013 and represented California 1st Congressional Districtwhich covers much of the northeastern corner of the state.
Baird, 80, has been a member of Congress for seven years and represents Indiana 4th Congressional District ingredients in the central and northwestern parts of the state.
Baird’s office released a statement shortly after Trump’s announcement saying the congressman “is in the hospital and is expected to recover and is extremely grateful for your prayers during this time.”
“Congressman Baird looks forward to continuing his work on behalf of Hoosiers. Congressman Baird’s office will continue to provide services and support to those who need it. Congressman Baird and his office remain committed to serving their constituents and focused on supporting Hoosiers at the highest levels of government.”
Johnson, Jeffries mourn LaMalfa
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., released a statement saying that “Congress is devastated to learn this morning of the death of our dear friend and colleague, Doug LaMalfa.”
“Doug was a lifelong resident of Northern California and loved its people dearly. He was as fierce a champion as ever for his state’s vast natural resources and beauty,” Johnson wrote. “We mourn the loss of our friend and brother today and send our respects for his life and work to his wife Jill and the LaMalfa family during this difficult time.”
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York said in a statement that he joined “people across Northern California in mourning the untimely death of Congressman Doug LaMalfa.”
“Doug and I joined Congress as classmates in 2013, and it was an honor to witness firsthand his passion and personal determination for over a decade,” Jeffries wrote.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., released a written statement saying he was “devastated to hear of the death of my dear friend and colleague, Doug LaMalfa.”
“The fourth-generation rice farmer has passionately championed the region’s farming and small business communities, and in 2024 he was elected chair of the Congressional Western Caucus, which focuses on the priorities of western and rural America,” Scalise wrote. “He also worked to strengthen disaster relief efforts and rural school funding.”
National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Richard Hudson of North Carolina said in a statement that he was “deeply saddened by the death of my colleague and close friend, Congressman Doug LaMalfa.”
“I treasured the time we served together on the Agriculture Committee and discussed NASCAR racing; he was a true fan of gears and motorsports,” Hudson wrote. “I will miss my ‘amigo’ greatly. Renee and I are praying for his beloved wife Jill, as well as Kyle, Allison, Sophia, Natalie and all of his loved ones, friends and staff during this extremely difficult time.”
