Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) was nominated by his Republican colleagues for speaker of the House, but many of them subsequently refused to back him – in part because of his cancer diagnosis.
Scalise announced earlier this year that he has multiple myeloma – a type of blood cancer that is treatable but not curable.
And Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), who underwent treatment for cancer earlier this year and says his diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is in remission, shamed GOP lawmakers for abandoning their colleague.
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"When I came down with cancer, my Caucus colleagues rallied around to support me as Ranking Dem on Oversight," Raskin posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Friday. "I’m dumbfounded that GOP Members (& Trump!) used Steve Scalise’s cancer as a reason to abandon him on the House floor — after nominating him for the job!"
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) first questioned Scalise's ability to serve as speaker on Wednesday – saying he should focus on his health instead of the House job.
After he was nominated for the job, Republican lawmakers raised similar concerns.
"I think many members are concerned about that," said Rep. Bob Good of Virginia, a Scalise holdout. "I've heard them express the opinion that you just can't take on something more stressful if you're going through chemo."
Scalise ultimately lost the vote for speaker, and Republicans have not yet found a candidate who appears they could win the job.
