Rep. Steve Scalise has improved to 'serious condition,' is responsive and speaking with loved ones

Thomson Reuters

Newly elected House Majority Whip Scalise speaks to the media as Speaker of the House Boehner listens on Capitol Hill in Washington

Rep. Steve Scalise, who was shot in the hip Wednesday morning when a gunman opened fire on a congressional baseball practice, "continues to show signs of improvement" after an additional surgery on Saturday, the MedStar Washington Hospital said.

He is now in serious condition, an improvement from the critical condition he was in since his first surgery on Wednesday.

"He is more responsive, and is speaking with his loved ones. The Scalise family greatly appreciates the outpouring of thoughts and prayers," the hospital's statement said.

Scalise's doctors said Friday they were growing increasingly confident and optimistic about his condition, though more operations would be required and it was unclear how long he would be hospitalized.

Scalise was among three people shot by 66-year-old James Hodgkinson on Wednesday. The bullet that struck Scalise "travelled across his pelvis, fracturing bones, injuring internal organs, and causing severe bleeding," his doctors said.

Read the hospital's statement below: