John Shimkus walks out of President Obama's health care speech Sept. 9. (Susan Walsh/AP)

Republican Rep. John Shimkus of Collinsville has accepted an invitation to play basketball with President Obama at the White House tonight, Shimkus’ office reports:

SHIMKUS INVITED TO WHITE HOUSE FOR BASKETBALL GAME TONIGHT

Washington, DC…Congressman John Shimkus (R, Illinois-19) has been invited to join President Obama, cabinet secretaries, and other Members of Congress to play basketball at the White House today.  The only two Republicans invited are Shimkus and Congressman Jeff Flake of Arizona.

“I find athletics to be a great stress reliever.  Obviously, this must also be true for the President,” Shimkus noted.  “I am grateful for the invitation.  I look forward to a competitive game and hope I don’t embarrass myself on the court.”

Shimkus is a regular basketball player in the House Members gym, where bipartisan pick-up games are not unusual.  He also recently played in a charity basketball game in Washington, DC, with many of those players invited today.

Invitees include Education Secretary Arne Duncan, Housing Secretary Shaun Donovan, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, and Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner.  Other Members invited include Mike Arcuri of New York, John Boccieri of Ohio, Brad Ellsworth of Indiana, Baron Hill of Indiana, Jay Inslee of Washington, Frank Kratovil of Maryland, Rick Larsen of Washington, Patrick Murphy of Pennsylvania, and Heath Shuler of North Carolina.

We can only hope Shimkus doesn’t walk out if the calls go against him.