Scalise recovery

Paul Ryan on Scalise recovery: ‘Our prayers are being answered’

By LOUIS NELSON

House Majority Whip Steve Scalise’s ongoing recovery in a Washington hospital after a shooting earlier this month is a sign that “our prayers are being answered,” House Speaker Paul Ryan said in an interview that aired Wednesday morning.

Scalise was one of five people injured June 14 when a gunman opened fire on a group of Republican lawmakers practicing for the annual congressional baseball game, which was played the next day. The majority whip was among the first to be hit and sustained some of the worst injuries, suffering a pierced hip, severe bleeding and damage to his internal organs.

The gunman, 66-year-old James T. Hodgkinson, was shot at the scene and later died.

As part of an interview with Ryan that was taped last Monday, Fox News host Brian Kilmeade was allowed to visit a GOP House leadership meeting, where the speaker said Scalise’s seat near the head of the conference table has been kept empty since the shooting.

“This is where he normally sits. We’re keeping his seat right here vacant until he returns,” Ryan said, gesturing to the empty seat to his right. “Most of us have gone to see him or we’ve spoken with him. And he’s making a very good recovery. So we’re just – our prayers are being answered.”

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) added: “I have known Steve 10 years before he ever got here. This is one of the strongest men you’ll ever meet. Very difficult obstacle, but I was just with him on Friday. Even the doctors will tell you how strong he’s been through all of this.”