WASHINGTON — Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz.,
returned to Congress in dramatic fashion for the first time since being
shot in the head in January, appearing almost unannounced in the midst
of one of the most contentious votes of the year.
The House chamber erupted in a bipartisan standing
ovation as she entered. Giffords, 41, who has been out of sight and
hospitalized much of the year, stood unaided to recognize the applause.
She embraced colleagues who flocked to her. Rep.
Debbie Wasserman-Schulz, D-Fla., who is among her closest friends in
Congress, was at her side.
“It was an inspiration, really, to all the members,
Democrats and Republicans. We’re very excited about seeing her,” said
Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla.
“Her presence here … as well as her entire service
to Congress, brings honor to this chamber,” said House Minority Leader
Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. “She is the perfect example of bipartisanship,”
said Rep. Ted Poe, R-Texas.
It was the latest milestone in Giffords’ recovery.
She and 18 others were shot Jan. 8 as she greeted constituents in
Tucson. Six people died. Jared Loughner, 22, has been charged but ruled
incompetent to stand trial.
Debate over raising the nation’s $14.3-trillion debt
ceiling has been bitter, divisive and partisan. Giffords said in a
written statement that she was compelled to return to vote on the
debt-ceiling legislation Monday.
“I had to be here for this vote. I could not take the
chance that my absence could crash our economy,” said Giffords, who
voted “aye.” The bill passed comfortably.
The three-term Democrat was discharged in June from
the Houston hospital where she had been rehabilitating. She made a brief
visit to her district on Father’s Day weekend, but has otherwise stayed
with her husband, astronaut Mark Kelly, outside Houston.
Kelly and the rest of the crew of the space shuttle
Endeavour are scheduled to meet with President Obama at the White House
Tuesday.
“One’s going to space, and one’s trying to get back
to earth,” said Vice President Joe Biden, who said he made a special
trip to Congress when he heard that Giffords would be there. “Think
about it. It’s an incredible family.”
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(c) 2011, Tribune Co.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
