Receiving a standing ovation from the moment he entered the House Chambers, Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) returned to the House after being wounded in a mass shooting during a Congressional baseball practice in June.
The strength to return to Congress “starts with God,” Scalise said, “The first thing I did once I was down and couldn't move anymore is I just started to pray. And I'll tell you it gave me an unbelievable sense of calm knowing that at that point it was in God's hands..”
“Pretty much every one of those prayers were answered,” Scalise continued. “He really did deliver for me and my family, and it just gives you that renewed faith and understanding that the power of prayer is just something that you cannot underestimate.”
Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) took the floor immediately after Scalise and thanked God.
“Thank God our prayers our answered,” Pelosi said about Scalise’s successful recovery after being shot by a former Bernie Sanders campaign volunteer.
Scalise praised the heroic actions of the Capitol Police officers on the scene who helped take down the shooter as well as his family for their strength and support.
The Louisiana Congressman ended his address with a message of unity and the need to “rise above the challenges of the day.”