Rep. Steve Scalise

The traditional Congressional Baseball Game is being played Thursday night at Washington's Nationals Park, in spite of the shooting at the GOP practice on Wednesday morning.

Two victims remain in critical condition after the attack on a GOP baseball practice. Gunman James Hodgkinson had sold his possessions in Illinois before heading to Washington in March.

Even before a gunman opened fire on a congressional baseball practice on Wednesday, injuring Republican Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, a number of threats in recent months have worried Congress.

Given the rancor and acrimony that has defined Washington in recent years, the Congressional Baseball Game has been a welcome respite. On Wednesday, that peace and civility was shattered.

Scalise, a former systems engineer, served for 12 years in the Louisiana Legislature before being elected to the House. He was playing second base when he was shot in the hip on Wednesday.

Authorities are praising Capitol Police for preventing further bloodshed when a gunman opened fire at a congressional baseball practice. Two Capitol Police officers were wounded but are OK.

The House majority whip's protestations of innocence about EURO and its views have strained credulity, both in Washington and in Louisiana. But it's not nearly enough to bring him down.

The House majority whip said the group was one of many he spoke to in 2002 in efforts to build support for legislation. But, he said, he opposed the group's "racial and religious" views.