It was just announced that long time California Republican House Member Doug LaMalfa suddenly passed away at the age of just 65. His passing comes just one day after Georgia ex-Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene resigned and left office yesterday.

For Speaker Johnson this is a terrible turn of events as now he is back down to only being able to lose two vote on any party-line bill if the House is in full attendance. Under California law Gov. Newson has to call a special election within 14 calendar days of the vacancy occurring with the election being held within 140 days of the vacancy taking place. This means that the election must take place by Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

Currently there are 3 vacancies in the House. Texas' runoff election to fill Sylvester Turners seat is on the 31st of this month. The special election date for Marjorie Taylor Greene's seat has not been set yet and finally we have the seat of Doug LaMalfa.

Now the House has to pass a series of funding bills before parts of the government shut down at the end of the month with a GOP House majority of 218-213