WASHINGTON — House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) remains in fair condition after an infection setback last week, undergoing yet another round of surgery today as he recovers from the June 14 attack on a Republican congressional baseball practice.
“Congressman Steve Scalise remains hospitalized at MedStar Washington Hospital Center,” the medical center said in a statement this afternoon. “Today, he underwent surgery for the management of deep tissue infection related to his bullet wounds. He is in fair condition, and will require careful monitoring to see if and when further interventions are necessary.”
Scalise’s office said July 5 that he had been “readmitted to the Intensive Care Unit at MedStar Washington Hospital Center due to new concerns for infection,” with his condition downgraded to “serious.” The next day, he “underwent surgery for the management of infection.”
Tyson Foods lobbyist Matt Mike, who was shot multiple times in the chest, was released from the hospital on June 23. Capitol Police Special Agent Crystal Griner is recovering from a gunshot to the ankle.
Dr. Jack Sava, director of trauma at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, told reporters days after the shooting that Scalise suffered “a single wound from a rifle, entering in the area of his left hip.”
“The bullet traveled straight across toward the other hip, in what we call a transpelvic gunshot wound. The round fragmented, and caused significant damage to bones, internal organs and blood vessels. I understand he was awake initially, but due to severe bleeding, by the time he arrived at MedSTAR by helicopter, he was in shock,” Sava said, noting that the congressman “received many units of blood transfusion for ongoing hemorrhage from multiple locations.”
Rep. Francis Rooney (R-Fla.) had dinner with Scalise the night before he was shot. “Let’s hope that this infection is dealt with expeditiously. He continues his recovery,” Rooney told Fox last week. “He’s a great American, a great patriot, a great father.”
House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) was asked at a press conference today about gun legislation introduced in response to the shooting, including a bill from Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) to allow concealed-carry permit holders in other states to carry legally in D.C.
“I support reciprocity, but I don’t know if all of our members support reciprocity. There are issues that members — conservatives have on federalism grounds on that,” Ryan replied.
“My own view with respect to members of Congress who get that question, we’ve got to be treated under the same law like everybody else: nothing — no special exceptions for members of Congress as far as I’m concerned.”
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