House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., has to "relearn" how to walk after being shot in the hip last June, according to House Speaker Paul Ryan.
Ryan, who described Scalise as a "very close friend," said at a CNN town hall Monday: "Steve got shot through the hip, he's had about ten surgeries. He's going to be able to walk. He's going to recover, but it was a pretty bad shot. We almost lost him that day."
Scalise was shot during practice for the GOP congressional baseball team. He was discharged from the hospital in late July, but according to Ryan, his recovery is "going to be a while," although he is improving.
"He's going to walk — he's just got to relearn how to do it," Ryan said.
The congressman has tweeted about several news stories while in recovery, including a message of support for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., after his cancer diagnosis became public, and to denounce white supremacy following the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia. He also thanked Ryan and CNN moderator Jake Tapper for their "prayers and encouragement" following the town hall.
Scalise even called into a conference call on Monday to discuss government funding with other House Republicans.
"They're trying to keep him from his phone," Ryan said in the town hall. "He's got a lot he wants to do, but we want him to focus on his recovery."
One of Scalise's aides told CBS News that the congressman "thanked the Whip Team and Rep. Patrick McHenry for stepping up in the weeks following the shooting."
Ryan said the call was "very emotional" for him and his colleagues.
"It was extremely cathartic for all of us and our members were really relieved to hear his voice," he said.
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