There’s been many leaders in Congress in and out of the hospital. Now another has received bad news.
Because a top Congressmember just got a scary diagnosis from their doctor.
Just this year alone, Americans have watched as so many members of Congress have been unable to fulfill their duties due to ongoing health issues, some of which stem from just advancing in age.
Who can forget just how bad of shape U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein appeared to be in when she returned back to the Senate from her most recent trip to the hospital after experiencing a scary fall at her home in California.
There’s also the John Fetterman issue, which is simply stunning for millions of Americans. Fetterman is a freshman U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania and he experienced a severe stroke well before he was ever elected to Congress. Today, he is still dealing with the effects of his stroke from early 2022, and at times it appears as though he can barely get through the day.
And most recently, Washington, D.C. experienced a real scare when the Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell literally froze in front of cameras for a solid minute and had to be escorted away from reporters during a press meeting.
Of course, these are all examples of politicians who should probably be self-aware enough to acknowledge that they should step aside because their health issues and/or advancing age seem to be getting in the way of representing the American people well.
But sometimes, there’s nothing you can do about diagnoses that seem to come out of nowhere. That is true for one Republican Congressmember this week who has been delivered a shocking diagnosis of a terminal disease.
The House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) announced earlier today that he has been diagnosed with a form of cancer in the blood known as multiple myeloma.
“After a few days of not feeling like myself this past week, I had some blood work done. The results uncovered some irregularities and after undergoing additional tests, I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a very treatable blood cancer.”
He described the cancer type as “very treatable,” which is encouraging to hear. He also details how he plans to move forward with his responsibilities in Congress.
As of now, Scalise plans to work and press on during this tough time. Furthermore, in his statement on Twitter (also known as X), he thanks everyone involved with helping him “tackle” the cancer diagnosis.
After a few days of not feeling like myself this past week, I had some blood work done. The results uncovered some irregularities and after undergoing additional tests, I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a very treatable blood cancer.
I have now begun treatment, which will…
— Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) August 29, 2023
The fact that he wants to continue on and focus on his job in Congress is incredible, to say the least.
Scalise has every reason to step aside for this time and focus on himself, his family, and anything else that might be impacted by this scary disease. But instead, he’s choosing to carry on bravely and do his job of serving the American people.
At the beginning of the statement, Scalise noted that he was feeling off lately, so clearly he knows when he needs to put aside work in Congress to check on himself and his health.
Hopefully, if the cancer gets worse and starts taking its toll on Scalise to a great degree, Scalise will be willing to step down from his role as the House Majority Leader and right-hand man to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
The role of the House Majority Leader is a critical one as they focus on keeping the schedule of the House of Representatives going and keeping his party in control of everything that’s going on since the Republicans have House control.
At the end of the day, our hearts and prayers go out to Steve Scalise and his family in dealing with this scary diagnosis.
Stay tuned to the DC Daily Journal.
