California Republican Congressman Doug LaMalfa has unexpectedly passed away at 65, according to statements from his colleagues on Capitol Hill released on Tuesday. Richard Hudson, Chairman of the National Republican Campaign Committee, praised LaMalfa as “a principled conservative and a tireless advocate for the people of Northern California,” highlighting his commitment to rural communities, farmers, and working families. Hudson remarked on LaMalfa’s authenticity and conviction in his public service. Meanwhile, House Republican Majority Whip Tom Emmer remembered him as “a loving father and husband, and a staunch advocate for his constituents and rural America.”

LaMalfa’s passing poses a challenge to the Republican majority in the House, leaving Speaker Mike Johnson with a slim three-vote margin following the formal resignation of Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor-Greene on Monday. The current composition of the House stands at 218 Republicans to 213 Democrats. This configuration means Republicans can afford to lose no more than three votes on any party-line legislation, assuming full attendance and participation. Additionally, it was revealed on Tuesday that Indiana Republican Congressman Jim Baird, 80, has been hospitalized due to a car accident.

The Democratic caucus is poised to gain an additional vote after a runoff election in Texas later this month to fill the seat of Congressman Sylvester Turner, who died last March. This change will narrow the Republican margin to two votes. Another special election is planned to replace former New Jersey Democratic Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill in April, following her election as the state’s governor in November.

Speaking to House Republicans during a political meeting at the Kennedy Center Tuesday, President Donald Trump noted that he ‘was thinking about not even doing the speech in [LaMalfa’s] honor, but then I decided that I have to do it in his honor. I’ll do it in his honor, because he would have wanted it that way.’ Trump also noted that LaMalfa voted with him ‘100 percent of the time.’ LaMalfa served as Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus, and was a member of the Agriculture Committee.

Before his election to Congress in 2012, LaMalfa served in the California Senate and state assembly. He was also a fourth-generation rice farmer. After the passage of California’s Prop 50 redistricting ballot measure last November, LaMalfa’s seat landed on the Democrat list of pickup targets in this year’s midterm election. LaMalfa planned to run again for his seat, despite the new district lines.