Steve Scalise Returns To House After Alexandria Shooting

ALEXANDRIA, VA — After being critically injured in the shooting at a Republican baseball practice in Alexandria, House Majority Whip Steve Scalise has returned to the Capitol.

Scalise was the most seriously injured in the June 14 shooting at Eugene Simpson Stadium Park when a gunman opened fire at the baseball practice. Three and a half months later, he entered the House floor Thursday morning to cheers from colleagues.

“You have no idea how this feels, to be back at work in the people’s House,” Scalise said. “I’m definitely a living example that miracles really do happen.”

It's been a long recovery process after the congressman who was shot in the hip and was transported to the hospital in critical condition. Scalise underwent numerous surgeries at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in the days following the shooting. He was released from the hospital in late July and began an inpatient program.

Capitol Police officers Crystal Griner and David Bailey, legislative aide Zach Barth and lobbyist for Tyson Foods Matt Mika were also injured in the shooting.

Scalise thanked everyone from colleagues to constituents for their well wishes, but most notably honored the Capitol Police officers for their quick and heroic efforts. The officers were assigned to a security detail for Scalise, the number three Republican in the House. Witnesses have said without the Capitol Police officers, the outcome could have been a lot worse.

The gunman, identified as James T. Hodgkinson of Illinois, died from his injuries after exchanging fire with the Capitol and Alexandria Police officers that day.

"When I was laying there, not long after the first couple of shots were fired, I could hear a different caliber weapon. And that told me they had immediately engaged the shooter," said Scalise in the House floor speech. "If they didn't act so quickly, and even after being shot both themselves, continued to engage the shooter and ultimately got him down, which not only saved my life but saved the lives of a lot of other people."

He also recognized his colleagues on the field that ran to check on him, including Rep. Brad Wenstrup, a doctor that gave critical medical attention before first responders arrived.

Scalise will appear on CBS News' "60 Minutes" Sunday, Oct. 1, to talk about the shooting and his recovery process. The shooting was the first time a federal lawmaker has been shot since 2011, when a gunman opened fire on then-Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and others in Tuscon, Arizona.

Image via office of Rep. Steve Scalise