WASHINGTON: Early one morning in June 2017, Steve Scalise was standing at second base throughout observe for a politicians’ charity baseball recreation when a gunman opened hearth on the gamers, capturing him within the hip.
The assault, by a shooter who was concentrating on Republican lawmakers, left Scalise with life-threatening accidents and going through a protracted and painful restoration.
Now Scalise, a hardline conservative who opposes abortion, immigration and gun management, may grow to be second in line to the presidency after Republicans nominated him for speaker of the House of Representatives on Wednesday (Oct 11).
The 58-year-old congressman from Louisiana has lengthy been thought of a rising star within the Republican Occasion, a gregarious lawmaker who at the moment holds the influential function of Home Majority Chief.
He has been seen as a bridge between Trump-era conservatives and extra conventional institution Republicans.
And, as an more and more highly effective right-wing lawmaker, he additionally attracts savage criticism from many Democrats and progressives.
PRO-GUN RIGHTS
In 2014, Scalise needed to face down calls for for his resignation after admitting he addressed a gathering with ties to Ku Klux Klan former chief David Duke.
Scalise apologised, saying “it was a mistake I remorse”.
However, regardless of his capturing accidents, a difficulty on which Scalise has made no concessions is gun management.
He’s a fierce supporter of the Nationwide Rifle Affiliation, which supplies him an A+ score, and has voted repeatedly to increase gun rights.
Scalise “will proceed combating to guard each citizen’s Second Modification proper to maintain and bear arms”, his web site says.
He has routinely opposed gun management laws, even taking to the Home flooring for a speech criticizing activists in April 2013, simply 4 months after 20 elementary college youngsters and 6 adults have been shot useless.
“We have been all shocked and saddened by the murders at Sandy Hook. However I feel what’s additionally disappointing, is when you may have these tragedies, sadly there are individuals – Washington politicians – that attempt to benefit from these tragedies to then come behind and attempt to impose their agenda,” he stated.