The country watched in horror as Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) , along with two police officers, a congressional staffer, and a lobbyist, were shot while practicing for the Congressional Baseball game. The shooter, a far-left volunteer for Senator Bernie Sanders’ (I-VT) failed presidential campaign, is the only one who has died. However, Scalise is still in critical condition and just underwent his third surgery.
This is a clear example of the serious, violent outcome that comes from more than a year of vicious, anti-Trump rhetoric from the “Resist” movement.
Now, lawmakers have decided to have the baseball game tonight anyway, because it raises money for the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, the Washington Literary Center, and the newly added Capitol Police Memorial Fund.
And because of the attention attracted by the shooting, ticket sales have skyrocketed today at the rate of 500 per hour. If there’s a small silver lining, it’s that more than $1 million will be raised for a good cause:
Tickets to Thursday’s 56th annual Congressional Baseball Game were selling at a rate of 500 per hour, the morning after a gunman opened fire at the Republican team’s practice session.
More than 18,000 tickets had been sold just before noon Thursday, the game’s organizers said. They are on track to raise more than $1 million.[…]
Proceeds from the game benefit the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, the Washington Literary Center, and the newly added Capitol Police Memorial Fund.
In a first, C-SPAN will air the hallowed annual tradition, with pre-game coverage beginning at 6:30 p.m.
This is the first year attendees can pre-order reserved seats to the game for $15, as oppose to the $10 general admission seating, a change made earlier this year.
The pre-game concert sponsored by Anheuser-Busch is on the Budweiser Terrace at Nationals Park from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The first pitch is at 7:05 p.m. and gates open at 5:30 p.m.
via Roll Call
In light of shooting, lawmakers announce Congressional Baseball Game will also raise money for Fallen Officers Fund. https://t.co/S7IE30nAyP pic.twitter.com/aCHf0X7dPW
— ABC News (@ABC) June 15, 2017
Tickets the Congressional Baseball Game were selling 500 per hour this morning. That’s awesome. I can’t wait! https://t.co/gLXuzOfZ85
— Lauren Luxenburg (@LaurenC_Lux) June 15, 2017
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