November 29, 2022 3:35am EST
What Virginia Rep. Donald McEachin's death means for the new Congress
Kevin McCarthy still needs 218 votes to become Speaker
By Chad Pergram | Fox News
With the death of Virginia Democratic Rep. Donald McEachin, the new Congress will begin with a vacancy until there is a special election to fill that seat.
A reminder: You cannot be appointed to the House.
McEachin’s untimely death does not give some breathing room to House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., in his quest to become Speaker. The new Congress will begin with 434 members. The magic number for McCarthy continues to be 218 - an outright majority of the entire body.
McEachin becomes the 7th member elected to the 118th Congress to die.
Rep.-elect Luke Letlow, R-La., died before taking office in late 2020, just after the election.
The following members have also died:
Late. Reps. Ron Wright, R-Texas, Alcee Hastings, D-Fla., Jim Hagedorn, R-Minn., Don Young, R-Alaska, Jackie Walorski, R-Ind., and McEachin.
more
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/what-virgina-rep-donald-mceachins-death-means-new-congress
