A tense situation is brewing on Capitol Hill as the House GOP leaders, with their slim majority, are sending a clear message to their members: show up unless it's a matter of life or death. This directive has been communicated in recent party meetings and private discussions, according to multiple lawmakers, and the urgency has only intensified as the GOP's already narrow margins have further shrunk.
The unexpected death of Rep. Doug LaMalfa and the sudden retirement of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene have left the party leadership with an even smaller majority to manage. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer's office has confirmed to NBC News that members are being advised to be present in Washington, except in life-threatening circumstances.
Emmer's office emphasizes the importance of members' presence to pass legislation that lowers costs, secures the border, and supports the president's agenda. However, there seems to be a grey area when it comes to campaign events, especially with 17 House Republicans running for higher office.
Rep. Ralph Norman, who is running for governor, recalls Emmer's words at a recent meeting: "If you've got a family emergency, then you can miss a vote. If you run for another office, no, you show up here." But not all members seem to be adhering to this directive.
Rep. Wesley Hunt, a Senate candidate in Texas, has missed a series of votes this month while campaigning back home. His absence was notable during a critical vote on Tuesday, where a GOP labor bill was defeated due to Republican defections and absences. Hunt's vote alone wouldn't have changed the outcome, but two other absences met Emmer's life-or-death standard: Rep. Greg Murphy recovering from surgery and Rep. Derrick Van Orden tending to his wife's surgical procedure.
Multiple members of leadership, including Speaker Mike Johnson, have directly addressed Hunt's attendance, and he has promised to fly back for votes if needed. Last week, Hunt did just that, returning to Washington for a key procedural vote.
"I have been in constant communication with Speaker Johnson, and if he needs my vote, just like last week, he can count on it," Hunt stated.
Despite Hunt's assurance, his absence has frustrated GOP leadership, according to two Republican sources. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise highlighted the dedication of Rep. Jim Baird, who showed up for a vote despite being in a neck brace after a car accident.
"So nobody's got an excuse to not be here and do their job," Scalise emphasized.
As the GOP's historically small majority shrinks to 218 seats, with Democrats controlling 213, the internal tension over attendance issues is growing. Democrats are expected to increase their margin soon with an upcoming special election in Texas.
The news of LaMalfa's sudden death and Baird's car accident served as a stark reminder to lawmakers of the fragility of life and their majority. On Monday, more Democrats voted than Republicans in the House, and on Tuesday, the only bill passed was to loosen federal efficiency standards for showerheads.
The threat of discharge petitions, a tool used by the minority to force floor action, looms over leadership's actions. After Tuesday's floor mishaps, Speaker Johnson insisted, "We're totally in control of the House... This is life with a small margin."
However, the reality is that the GOP's majority is essentially nonexistent on some days, which could pose challenges ahead of the midterms. The precarious dynamic has leadership offering health advice more suited to a doctor than a party leader.
"They better be here," Johnson said. "I've told everybody, not in jest - no adventure sports, no risk-taking, take your vitamins, and stay healthy."
While a mid-session party flip in the House has never occurred, the 1930 midterm elections demonstrated how vulnerable small margins can be when members die suddenly. After Election Day 1930, Republicans held a narrow majority, but by the opening of the 72nd Congress in 1931, 14 members-elect had died, shifting power to the Democrats.
Although a mid-session control flip would be unprecedented, it's not impossible. An accidental majority could put Democrats in a similar position to the current Republican leadership, with the added benefit of seizing committee gavels and halting President Trump's legislative agenda.
Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and his team are hopeful for a larger majority post-midterms, reveling in the current Republican chaos.
"They can't even legislate. This group of people - they don't know how to organize a two-car funeral," Jeffries remarked.
The prospect of more illnesses or resignations has some members anxious.
"We're one flu season away from losing the majority," said GOP Rep. Tim Burchett.
This story was reported by Melanie Zanona, Sahil Kapur, and Kyle Stewart for NBC News.
