The slim House Republican majority will shrink twice more before it expands later this spring.
The resignation of Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) at the end of Friday will create a fourth vacancy — three of them by Republicans — and reduce the GOP House advantage to 218-213.
While Buck almost certainly will be succeeded by a Republican in a June 25 special election in Colorado’s 4th District, his abrupt departure will deprive party leaders of a mostly reliable vote for more than three months. Republicans will select their special-election nominee at a March 28 meeting.