House Republicans enter 2026 with the challenge of securing conservative legislative wins despite narrow margins.

On Tuesday, House Republicans formulated a plan for the second year of the 119th Congress in a retreat with President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C.

The meeting was overshadowed by the death of 65-year-old Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif.

“Congress is devastated to learn this morning about the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Doug LaMalfa,” Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., said in a statement Tuesday. “Doug was a lifelong resident of northern California and deeply loved its people.”

LaMalfa’s death further weakens the Republican House majority just a day after Marjorie Taylor Greene’s retirement from the House due to a feud with Trump. 

The GOP currently holds a slim 218 to 213 majority in the chamber, with four vacancies. This means that House leadership can only afford to lose two Republican votes while passing a bill. 

Gov. Brian Kemp of Georgia has scheduled a March 10 election to fill Greene’s seat, and Gov. Gavin Newsom of California has 14 days to call a special election for LaMalfa’s seat.

Congress is devastated to learn this morning about the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Doug LaMalfa. Doug was a lifelong resident of........

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