Congressmen are a lot tougher than they look.
Sen. Gabby Giffords made a triumphant return to work after she was shot in the head by a madman. Rep. Steve Scalise endured horrific gunshot injuries yet continues to serve. Sen. Rand Paul, who was viciously attacked by his neighbor earlier this month, is now joining their ranks.
Less than ten days after the attack left him with six broken ribs and severe lung problems, Paul is returning to Capitol Hill.
Kelley and I want to thank everyone once again for your thoughts and prayers for my recovery. While I’m still in a good deal of pain, I will be returning to work in the Senate today, ready to fight for liberty and help move forward with tax cuts in the coming days and weeks.
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) November 13, 2017
On Nov. 3 Paul was blindsided by an attack by his neighbor, Rene Boucher. An enraged Boucher rushed at Paul and tackled him. Once the senator was on the ground, Boucher began throwing punches.
The bizarre assault has a lot of people scratching their heads. Boucher has basically admitted to the crime, but he has yet to divulge a motive. Was it political? Personal?
“Why are the federal authorities going to be involved?” asks the Washington Post.
“We only know so far of the arrest warrant in Kentucky. Is it just because Paul is a U.S. senator and they are inherently involved? Federal law, for what it’s worth, makes attacking federal officials like members of Congress punishable by up to 10 years in prison if ‘personal injury results.’”
Whatever the attacker’s motives, he failed to break Paul’s spirit. Rib fractures are painful injuries. His body is still recovering from the assault. Returning to the Senate even though he’s still suffering is a sign of how much he respects his constituents.
(Source: Washington Post, Politico)