Nebraska 2nd District Congressman Don Bacon released this statement following today’s shooting in Alexandria, Virginia that injured House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, two Capitol Police officers and an aide.

“My thoughts and prayers are with Congressman Scalise and the others injured today and I pray for their quick recovery. I also want to thank the Capital Police for their heroic actions. Congressman Scalise is a great leader in Congress and a great friend. When situations such as these occur, it is important that we pull together. We live in the greatest country in the world and we have much more to be unified about than divided.”

All members of the Nebraska delegation were attending the weekly breakfast on Capitol Hill. GOP members were practicing for an annual charity game to benefit the victims of the terrorist attack in Manchester, England.  Congressman Bacon says he was not taking part in the game as he had a tele-conference scheduled during that time period.  He says you can feel the tension today on Capitol Hill and there is a tremendous amount of security.

As House Majority Whip, Congressman Scalise had a security detail. Not all members of Congress have that line of protection.  Congressman Bacon says, “You can’t really secure yourself totally from these things.  I think we need to be out and not behind a wall.  It is important to engage.  There comes a little higher risk with the job.  I have a Bible verse I remember and I remember it from Iraq when I was there. We had probably three to 30 rockets a day for the year I was there coming in so you have time to reflect on these things.  Out of Matthew Chapter 10 it  says ‘Don’t fear man who can take your life but not your soul’ and that is the verse I hold onto when it comes to this.”

Congressman Scalise is in stable condition. The suspected shooter has died