Steve Scalise Returned to Capitol After Cancer Treatment, Noting ‘Votes Are Tight’

Representative Steve Scalise of Louisiana, the majority leader, returned to the Capitol on Tuesday following a six-week absence during which he received a stem-cell transplant as part of his treatment for blood cancer.

His Republican colleagues in the House were counting on his return to impeach Alejandro N. Mayorkas, the homeland security secretary, after a humiliating setback last week, when three Republicans joined all Democrats in rejecting the charges, leaving the G.O.P. just one vote short of a majority.

“I am back,” a smiling Mr. Scalise, mask in his hand, told a Fox News reporter as he re-entered the Capitol Tuesday afternoon. Mr. Scalise said he was feeling “great” and expressed confidence that the impeachment vote would move ahead as planned.

“To be back in person is really exciting,” he said. “I’ve heard the votes are tight; every vote is going to matter around here.”

On Tuesday night, he wore a heavy-duty mask as he milled around the House floor during votes, greeting colleagues with fist bumps and hugs.

Last week, after the stunning defeat of the first impeachment attempt, Republican leaders quickly said they would try again as soon as Mr. Scalise could return, potentially even the next day. That raised questions about whether the majority leader might place his health in grave danger to help Republicans press their charges against Mr. Mayorkas, which cleared the House on Tuesday evening but are all but certain to die in the Democratic-led Senate.

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