House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) is undergoing a stem cell transplant to treat his multiple myeloma, a development his office described as “a significant milestone in his battle against cancer.”
Scalise will work remotely once the procedure is complete before returning to Washington next month, narrowing the GOP’s already razor-thin majority in the House.
Scalise, 58, announced in August he had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. On Friday, the Louisiana Republican’s office said the congressman “successfully completed induction chemotherapy and had a positive result” and was beginning the transplant process.
“Last month, Leader Scalise successfully completed induction chemotherapy and had a positive response. It has now been determined he is eligible for an autologous stem cell transplant. He is currently undergoing the transplant process, marking a significant milestone in his battle against cancer,” Scalise’s office said in the statement.
“Once the procedure is completed, he will be recovering under the supervision of his medical team and will work remotely until returning to Washington next month. He is incredibly grateful to have progressed so well, and is thankful to his entire medical team, family, friends, and colleagues for their prayers and support,” it added.
With Scalise absent until February, the GOP’s majority in the House will decrease from three to two. Republicans will only be able to lose two votes on any partisan measures when the chamber convenes next week, assuming all members are present and vote with their party.
The development comes as Congress prepares to take on two major legislative undertakings: Lawmakers must fund some government agencies by Jan. 19 or risk a partial government shutdown, and pressure is mounting on members to strike a border security deal to unlock additional aid for Ukraine.
Making matters more difficult for Republicans, Rep. Bill Johnson (R-Ohio) is set to leave the House on Jan. 21. His departure will not affect the GOP cushion for winning party-line votes, but it will leave them down a vote in the narrowly divided body.
Rep. Brian Higgins (D-N.Y.), however, is set to resign Feb. 2, which will give Republicans some relief. And a special election to fill the seat previously held by former Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) is set to be held next month, in what analysts have dubbed a toss-up.