Monday, August 1, 2011

Giffords returns to Congress for debt-limit vote

WASHINGTON -- Seven months after she was shot in the head by a gunman in Tucson, Ariz., Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) made a surprise and emotional return to the House floor on Monday, casting a vote in favor of a bill to raise the nation's debt ceiling.

Giffords entered the chamber to sustained, standing applause, shaking hands with colleagues whom she had not seen since that January day. Her vote, a sideshow to the far more important and compelling personal drama, was in favor of the bill, which passed through the chamber by a margin of 269 to 161.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."I've never seen more electricity on the floor erupt than when she triumpantly walked up those stairs," she said.

When Biden was asked about what he spoke with Giffords about, he joked, "She's now a member of the cracked head club like me."

The debt ceiling bill passed the House 269-161. The Senate will vote on the measure on Tuesday.

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