Scalise to work remotely until February as he recovers from cancer treatment

Driving the news: Scalise is undergoing an autologous stem cell transplant after he had a “positive response" to induction chemotherapy, per his office.

• "Once the procedure is completed, he will be recovering under the supervision of his medical team and will work remotely until returning to Washington next month."

The backdrop: Scalise was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer, last August. He said in a statement at the time the disease was detected early and is “very treatable.”

• He has continued to serve as House majority leader and mounted an unsuccessful bid to become House speaker following Kevin McCarthy’s removal in October.
• The transplant marks a “a significant milestone in his battle against cancer,” the statement on Friday said.

Between the lines: Scalise's absence puts House Republicans down another vote as they face a razor-thin margin for error and looming deadlines to keep the government funded.

• With Rep. Bill Johnson (R-Ohio) slated to leave Congress later this month, Republicans are poised to have just 219 seats to Democrats' 213.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional context.