Injured Republican returns to work

WASHINGTON — To bipartisan hugs, tears and a roaring standing ovation, a hobbling House Republican Whip Steve Scalise returned to the House on Thursday, more than three months after a gunman sprayed fire at a baseball practice and left the lawmaker fighting for his life.

“You have no idea how great this feels to be back here at work in the people’s House,” the 51-year old Louisianan said to a chamber packed with lawmakers, including senators who crossed the Capitol to welcome him back.

Scalise limped into the chamber on crutches and wearing sneakers, smiling broadly and blowing kisses in his first public appearance since the June 14 shooting. In an extraordinary gesture, Speaker Paul Ryan presided and ordered members to sit in their chairs to listen to Scalise’s remarks.

“Our prayers have been answered,” Ryan said.

The moment marked a departure from the bitter divisions that have dominated Congress this year between two parties locked in combat over U.S. President Donald Trump and the GOP agenda.

“It does show the warm side of Congress that very few people get to see,” Scalise said.

Scalise and four others were injured when a gunman opened fire on a Republican baseball practice in nearby Alexandria, Va. U.S. Capitol Police and other officers returned fire and killed the gunman. The rifle-wielding attacker had nursed grievances against Trump and the GOP.

Scalise was struck in the hip, and the bullet tore into blood vessels, bones and internal organs.

Scalise thanked the two Capitol Hill police officers who returned fire and helped kill the shooter, James Hodgkinson of Belleville, Ill., and the doctors who patched him together through repeated surgeries. The officers, Crystal Griner and David Bailey, were also injured.

“David, you are my hero,” Scalise said to Bailey, who was in the chamber. “You saved my life.” Griner is still recovering at home.

The lawmaker also thanked his wife, Jennifer, who watched from the visitor’s gallery.

Those Scalise embraced included Rep. Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio, who applied a tourniquet that Scalise said helped control his bleeding and saved his life. Wenstrup, a surgeon, was red-faced and teary-eyed.