Scalise on shooting: ‘I closed that chapter a long time ago’

Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) said Thursday that he’s using the anniversary of last year’s shooting at a congressional baseball team practice, in which he was severely wounded, to reflect on support he’s received. 

“I closed that chapter a long time ago, and luckily I’ve been able to focus on all the good,” Scalise told “Fox & Friends.” 

“I closed that chapter a long time ago”: Rep. @SteveScalise is unafraid and ready to play ball at tonight’s Congressional baseball game pic.twitter.com/MjaJ0ORHbb

— FOX & friends (@foxandfriends) June 14, 2018

Scalise was seriously injured last June after a gunman opened fire on members of the Republican congressional baseball team while they practiced for an annual charity game. 

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He underwent multiple surgeries and returned to the House in September. He is expected to start in the annual charity game on Thursday night.

Scalise told “Fox & Friends” that he was encouraged by the number of constituents and fellow politicians who reached out and prayed for his recovery. He said he heard from President Trump and the musician Bono during his recovery, as well.

“Just to see that kind of warmth, it just lifts you up through the dark and tough times,” he said. “You know, for me and my whole family it was a rough period, but we also got to see the good in people.”

“You usually see the bad, the focus is on the food fights and the things that we disagree on, but there was so much good that I got to see and experience that helped me get through it,” he added.

Rep. Roger Williams (R-Texas), the coach of the Republican team, said earlier this week that he expects Trump to attend Thursday night’s game.