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WASHINGTON — Rep. Steve Scalise, the No. 2-ranking Home Republican, mentioned Tuesday he has been identified with a type of blood most cancers generally known as a number of myeloma and is present process remedy.
Scalise, 57, mentioned he’ll proceed to serve within the Home. He described the most cancers as “very treatable” and mentioned it was detected early.
The Louisiana Republican was amongst a number of individuals wounded in 2017 when a rifle-wielding attacker fired on lawmakers on a baseball discipline in Alexandria, Virginia, outdoors Washington. Scalise was shot within the hip and endured prolonged hospitalizations, a number of surgical procedures and painful rehabilitation.
The most cancers prognosis got here, Scalise mentioned, after he had not been feeling like himself previously week. Blood assessments confirmed some irregularities and after further screening, he mentioned he was identified with a number of myeloma.
“I’ve now begun remedy, which is able to proceed for the following a number of months,” Scalise mentioned in a press release. “I anticipate to work by this era and intend to return to Washington, persevering with my work as Majority Chief and serving the individuals of Louisiana’s First Congressional District.”
Scalise additionally thanked his medical group and mentioned he was “extremely grateful we had been in a position to detect this early and that this most cancers is treatable.”
“I’ll sort out this with the identical power and vitality as I’ve tackled previous challenges,” Scalise mentioned.
Colleagues within the Home and members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation supplied Scalise and his household their encouragement in response to the announcement, some recalling his willpower following the 2017 taking pictures.
“The identical religion, household assist, and inside power that made Steve such an inspiration to others after he was shot will carry him by this sickness and as soon as extra encourage us all,” mentioned Sen. Invoice Cassidy, R-La.
“I spoke with him at this time and he’s in good spirits, as nothing — not a gunshot and positively not most cancers — will cease him from undertaking what he units his thoughts to,” mentioned Home Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.
White Home press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre known as the prognosis “devastating information.”
“Our hearts and prayers exit to the congressman and his household,” Jean-Pierre mentioned. “Clearly, he’s gone by quite a bit over the previous couple of years.”
