Rep. Scalise's Condition Improves, Upgraded to 'Serious'

Scalise and three others were shot Wednesday morning at a baseball practice in Alexandria, Va. They also said "we continue to be grateful beyond words for the heroic actions of the U.S. Capitol Police this week". But he will remain in the hospital for "a considerable period of time" and faces additional operations.

In his first public comments since the shooting, Dr. Jack Sava of MedStar Washington Hospital Center said it's a "good possibility" that the Louisiana Republican will be able to return to work in his full capacity.

"It's been much more hard than people even thought at the time", Trump said. "He is more responsive, and is speaking with his loved ones".

Lucee Laursen of La Crosse, Wisconsin, interning in the capital for a nonprofit, said, "It's showing that we might have differences in political spheres but we come together for a good cause".

President Donald Trump says GOP Congressman Steve Scalise "took a bullet for all of us".

The Congressional Baseball Game Facebook page will also carry a live stream of the game and it will be broadcast on C-SPAN, a spokeswoman for the Congressional Baseball Game said. "The Scalise family greatly appreciates the outpouring of thoughts and prayers".

The attack happened around 7 a.m. Wednesday morning at the Eugene Simpson Stadium Park where lawmakers were practicing for a congressional charity baseball game.

"He remains in critical condition, but has improved in the last 24 hours", the hospital said.

Medstar Washington Hospital Centre released the update on behalf of the Scalise family. The shooter was an IL man, James T. Hodgkinson, who had lashed out against President Trump and Republicans over social media. He declined to describe specific internal injuries. He's been undergoing repeat surgeries.

The 2017 Congressional Baseball Game will be played Thursday evening. Scalise is a member of the team and had been fielding balls at second base in preparation for the game when he was shot.

A Republican supporter holds up a sign supporting US House Majority Whip Steve Scalise. Republicans and Democrats play one another in annual event, which raises funds for charity.

Trump called for unity in remarks at the White House on Wednesday, but Sanford and other Republican lawmakers also pointed to the president's own harsh rhetoric.

And even as the fans rose as one to cheer Scalise's name and the Capitol Police, there was no mistaking the lusty cheers for their own side as the game progressed.

Still in critical condition and undergoing repeated surgery, GOP House Whip Steve Scalise "will be in the hospital for some time", according to the facility where he is recovering from a gunshot.