Congressman Steve Scalise of Louisiana has been diagnosed with blood cancer.
Scalise is currently serving as the House Majority Leader, making him the second-highest-ranking Republican.
“After a few days of not feeling like myself this past week, I had some blood work done,” he wrote in a post on X on Aug. 28 “The results uncovered some irregularities and after undergoing additional tests, I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a very treatable blood cancer.”
Scalise said he has begun treatment and will continue working.
“I am incredibly grateful we were able to detect this early and that this cancer is treatable,” he continued. “I am thankful for my excellent medical team, and with the help of God, support of my family, friends, colleagues, and constituents, I will tackle this with the same strength and energy as I have tackled past challenges.”
The Republican was first elected to Congress in 2008 after serving in the Louisiana State Legislature for 12 years. He has held numerous leadership positions, including House Majority Whip from 2014 to 2018 and House Minority Whip from 2019 to 2022.
Scalise was one of five people shot by a gunman on June 14, 2017, while Republicans were practicing for the annual congressional baseball game.
“The injury put Scalise in critical condition, and he did not return to the House floor until September of that year,” per Fox News. Scalise has praised both Alexandria and Capitol Police for their action.
The gunman, James Hodgkinson, reportedly had a list of intended targets and asked if the representatives at the practice were Republican or Democrats before opening fire.
Scalise and other Republicans on the field that day co-signed a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray requesting he investigate domestic extremism. The co-signers criticized the agency for failing to fully investigate the 2017 shooting.
“We fear that the FBI’s inability or unwillingness to fully investigate this shooting as a matter of domestic extremism four years ago leaves a blind spot within the Bureau in fully assessing risks we face today,” they wrote, per NBC News. “The FBI telling us that James Hodgkinson’s attempt to assassinate dozens of Members of Congress was simply ‘suicide by cop’ does nothing to alleviate this concern.”
After his cancer announcement, House Republicans offered Scalise their support.
“We love you and we are all pulling for you!” replied Congressman Matt Gaetz of Florida.
“Leader Scalise is a selfless mentor and friend to many, always demonstrating unshakable resiliency while proving there is no obstacle he cannot conquer,” wrote Congresswoman Julia Letlow of Louisianna.
Congressman Jim Jordan of Ohio called Scalise a “great man” who “loves this country” and “will be back stronger than ever.”
“Steve Scalise is a fighter,” wrote Congressman Bryan Steil of Wisconsin. “If anyone can beat this, it’s him. I wish my friend a speedy and easy treatment process.”
“We are all praying for you, Majority Leader Scalise,” said Congresswoman Lauren Boebert in a message on X.
