Consultant Steve Scalise of Louisiana, the bulk chief, returned to the Capitol on Tuesday following a six-week absence throughout which he acquired a stem-cell transplant as a part of his therapy for blood most cancers.
His Republican colleagues within the Home had been relying on his return to question Alejandro N. Mayorkas, the homeland safety secretary, after a humiliating setback final week, when three Republicans joined all Democrats in rejecting the costs, leaving the G.O.P. only one vote wanting a majority.
“I’m again,” a smiling Mr. Scalise, masks in his hand, advised a Fox Information reporter as he re-entered the Capitol Tuesday afternoon. Mr. Scalise mentioned he was feeling “nice” and expressed confidence that the impeachment vote would transfer forward as deliberate.
“To be again in particular person is actually thrilling,” he mentioned. “I’ve heard the votes are tight; each vote goes to matter round right here.”
On Tuesday evening, he wore a heavy-duty masks as he milled across the Home ground throughout votes, greeting colleagues with fist bumps and hugs.
Final week, after the gorgeous defeat of the primary impeachment try, Republican leaders rapidly mentioned they’d attempt once more as quickly as Mr. Scalise may return, doubtlessly even the following day. That raised questions on whether or not the bulk chief may place his well being in grave hazard to assist Republicans press their fees in opposition to Mr. Mayorkas, which cleared the Home on Tuesday night however are all however sure to die within the Democratic-led Senate.
However Mr. Scalise mentioned on Tuesday that after being in isolation for weeks as he acquired an autologous stem-cell transplant, he had been cleared by his docs to journey.
In the course of the course of, he mentioned, “they mainly offer you no immunity system. Your system is actually not in a position to combat off any illnesses.” However Mr. Scalise mentioned his docs advised him his white blood cell depend was excessive sufficient that he may very well be cleared to “return to being round individuals.” Mr. Scalise mentioned he deliberate to renew his full in-person schedule.
On Tuesday, he caught with his annual tradition of delivering king cakes to his colleagues and Capitol Law enforcement officials to have fun Mardi Gras.
Mr. Scalise’s workplace mentioned in an announcement final week that he was in full remission.
Mr. Scalise, the No. 2 Republican within the Home, introduced in August that he had been identified with a uncommon type of blood most cancers. He continued to work as he underwent therapy, together with an aggressive type of chemotherapy.
Home Republicans keen to maneuver ahead with the impeachment of Mr. Mayorkas on Tuesday cheered his return.
Consultant Marjorie Taylor Greene, Republican of Georgia who has led the cost in opposition to Mr. Mayorkas, mentioned on social media that Mr. Scalise had “put most cancers in remission” and that the Louisiana lawmaker was notably returning on Fats Tuesday to #impeachmayorkas. In the course of the October race for Speaker, Ms. Greene had raised considerations about Mr. Scalise’s prognosis in opposing his bid for the gavel. On the Home ground Tuesday evening, she greeted him with a heat hug.
His allies in Congress mentioned Mr. Scalise appeared and sounded nice and that they trusted he was not placing his well being in hurt’s means by speeding again to Capitol Hill as a result of his get together so desperately wanted his vote.
“Whereas Steve Scalise will at all times put his nation earlier than his personal well being points, I belief him to make his personal choices and he doesn’t owe any of us a proof,” mentioned Consultant Lance Gooden, Republican of Texas. “We’re thrilled he’s again.”
Consultant Ann Wagner, Republican of Missouri, mentioned that she had been speaking and texting with Mr. Scalise all through his medical ordeal and that he was wholesome sufficient that he deliberate to start touring once more this weekend to marketing campaign with fellow lawmakers.
“He’s in such nice form he’s happening the highway on Friday after we get out, and serving to members,” she mentioned.