WASHINGTON — With the death of Rep. Gerry Connolly (Va.) on Wednesday, three House Democrats — all in their 70s — have died in office so far in 2025, potentially making it easier for Republicans to pass ambitious legislation enacting President Donald Trump’s policy agenda.
The deaths have punctuated a debate about age and seniority that’s roiled the Democratic Party since former President Joe Biden’s disastrous debate performance against Trump last year.
But the passing of the three Democrats has also had a practical impact on governance by making it slightly easier for Republicans to push partisan legislation through the House of Representatives.
At the start of the 119th Congress in January, there were 220 Republicans and 215 Democrats, so it took 218 members to win a majority vote in the 435-member body. That meant Republicans could lose support from only two of their own and still pass bills without Democratic votes.
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