Reacting to Last Week's Congressional Baseball Shooting

Last week, the entire nation stopped, following the news of a shooting directed at my friends and Republican colleagues who were practicing for the Congressional Baseball Game, an annual bipartisan fundraiser that raises more than $600 thousand annually for local charities. Early Wednesday morning, the shooter approached Republican members of Congress practicing on a DC-area baseball field and asked their party affiliation. He then proceeded to open fire, injuring five including Majority Whip Steve Scalise, two Capitol Police officers, one former staffer and one staffer for Roger Williams (TX-25). Luckily, the two Capitol Police officers were able to return fire and neutralize the gunman before anyone else was hurt. Whip Scalise, a close friend of mine, and former staffer Matt Mika remain in the hospital in critical condition, where they are undergoing life-saving operations.

This shooting is a stark reminder that the rhetoric one hears in politics can go beyond just rhetoric. Recently, this country has seen a decline in people debating the policies and issues at hand, instead resorting to ad hominem attacks and increased vitriol. Free speech and the ability to debate politics are one of the things that make America great, but we mustn't resort to name calling and violence.

Last Thursday, my staff and I attended the Congressional Baseball game in a sign of unity and support for those injured. Officer David Bailey, who stopped the shooter, threw out the first pitch and no matter which side you were on, that night everyone in the ballpark was on Team Scalise. Although the Democrats won 11-2, the team gave the trophy to the Republicans to put in Whip Scalise's hospital room until he recovers. At the end of the night, the organizers of the event sold more than 20,000 tickets, raised more than $1 million for charity and sent a clear sign that all of Congress stands united against violence. I ask that everyone continues to pray for the healing of Steve, Matt Mika and all of those affected by this tragedy.