Gabrielle Giffords Gives House Reason to Applaud, Plans for Campaign
Gabrielle Giffords, who was infamously shot seven months ago requiring a piece of her skull to be removed, emerged on the floor of the House of Representatives Monday evening to vote in favor of the debt ceiling agreement.
In what Democratic Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi called “one of the most thrilling moments for all of us to see,” Rep. Giffords (D-Ariz.)., helped the House pass the debt bill with a vote of 269-161, according to AP.
Giffords’ official statement after the vote expressed her concern and the feeling of necessity that caused her to take part in the momentous occasion.
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"I have closely followed the debate over our debt ceiling and have been deeply disappointed at what's going on in Washington," Giffords said in the statement. "I strongly believe that crossing the aisle for the good of the American people is more important than party politics. I had to be here for this vote. I could not take the chance that my absence could crash our economy."
Upon her entrance Giffords was greeted with a rapturous applause. Her colleagues welcomed her with enthusiasm and positive remarks.
"She is a model for the attitude that we should all have because she is tenacious and she is relentless in her love for America. ... You were missed and we're glad to have you back," said Rep. Ted Poe (R-Texas).
Debbie Wasserman, Rep Dem-Fla, is a friend of Giffords and commended the Arizona representative for her return to the house despite her injuries.
"She still has rehabilitation to go through and a lot of recovery. So she's not ready to come back full-time. But she wanted her district to have its voice here on probably the most important vote we'll cast this Congress," Wasserman Schultz said of her friend, who was still undergoing therapy, according to AP.
Giffords was shot in the head while meeting with voters on Jan. 8 at an Arizona grocery store. The event killed six and wounded 13, including Giffords who has undergone reconstructive surgeries to repair her damaged skull.
One day after her appearance on the house floor, CBS News announced that the Arizona representative will run for re-election in November.
