


House Majority Leader Steve Scalise is slated to return to Congress next week following lengthy blood cancer treatment that has sidelined him all year.
Mr. Scalise was absent from Washington due to stem cell transplant treatment for multiple myeloma, a blood cancer that he was diagnosed with in August.
“Leader Scalise has successfully completed his autologous stem cell treatment and has been medically cleared to resume travel,” his office said in a statement Thursday. “He is in complete remission and will be returning to Washington next week for votes. He is thankful for his positive prognosis and for the support of his medical team, family, colleagues and fellow Louisianans.”
Mr. Scalise’s long-awaited return comes as House Republicans suffered a bruising defeat Tuesday and are in desperate need of his vote to pass conservative policies.
Had the No. 2 House Republican been present for the impeachment vote against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, the outcome might have been different.
Despite defections from three House Republicans and a last-minute vote for Mr. Mayorkas from surgery-recovering Rep. Al Green, Texas Democrat, the impeachment push fell only one vote shy of passing on the House floor.
Mr. Johnson, Louisiana Republican, has vowed to bring the impeachment vote to the floor again. With Mr. Scalise’s return, the House GOP could impeach Mr. Mayorkas. However, he would likely be acquitted in the Democrat-led Senate.
• Alex Miller can be reached at amiller@washingtontimes.com.