Gabrielle Giffords votes for debt limit deal

Updated 7:41 p.m. Eastern Time

Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona made a surprise return to Washington Monday to vote in favor of an agreement to raise the debt limit.

"The #Capitol looks beautiful and I am honored to be at work tonight," she said in a Tweet.

CBS

Lawmakers offered Giffords a standing ovation on the House floor when she showed up for the vote. After it was completed, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said Giffords' name inspires the love and admiration of Americans and called the lawmaker the "personification of courage."

"Thank you, Gabby," Pelosi added. Giffords, her hair short, waved and thanked members as they applauded the sentiment.

In an email to the Tucson Weekly, Giffords spokesman C.J. Karamargin said Giffords "insisted on participating" in the vote.

Giffords said in a statement that she "closely followed the debate over our debt ceiling and have been deeply disappointed at what's going on in Washington."

CBS

"After weeks of failed debate in Washington, I was pleased to see a solution to this crisis emerge," she said. "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."

Giffords was shot and critically wounded during a constituent event in her home district in January during an attempted assassination attempt and has been working toward recovery since. Her husband, astronaut Mark Kelly, was seen standing outside the House floor looking in from the side entrance during the vote.

CBS

Vice President Joe Biden was on the floor for the vote, and he said afterward that "I told her she's now a member of the cracked head club like me with two craneotomies."

Pelosi just said she knew Giffords was coming but that House members were "shocked." She said Giffords went "above and beyond the call of duty" by coming to vote and that they had time for "girl talk" and "girl hugs."

Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a close friend of Giffords, told CBS News that she and Kelly were texting back and forth last night because Giffords wanted to come back if there was a possibility she would be the deciding vote on the bill.

Wasserman Schultz got choked up during the conversation, saying it was an amazing moment and commenting on how much progress Giffords has made -- even though, she said, there is still a long way to go.

CBSNews.com special report: America's debt battle

[sortathesame]

I have a great deal of admiration for Rep. Giffords, but I do have a question about the appropriateness of her returning for this vote. Have her doctors now certified that she is capable of resuming her job...if so, can we now expect her to return to DC and do that job? Or was she simply brought out for this vote? If she has not ben certified competent to do her job, she should NEVER have been allowed to cast a vote involving a decision that will have massive negative effect upon our economy and she should be a home until the time comes when she has been certified capable of returning full time.

[noloyalisti]

We are all caught up in this almost fascist right wing giant corporate dominated country. Someone like Gifford would have been considered a Republicon maybe 15-20 years ago.

This debt deal was another fiasco designed to redistribute American wealth to the top. Since those at the top own and run the elections, what do you expect?

The Tea Baggers and Republicon Corporation just deleted millions more jobs without solving anything much. That must be what they wanted.

[Saturn66]

I can't believe how hateful and unkind some of these comments are. I logged on to see some "Go, Gabby" messages instead of these mostly partisan snottyisms. Can't you put it away for a little while so we can celebrate something really great. I did smile at the positive comments. Thank you to those of you who had the sensitivity to respond appropriately.

[rudesauce]

The comments on here are just plain nasty. Now I know why I never read news stories involving politics. But look at the video, Republicans and Democrats: is that not Michele Bachmann putting her hands on Gifford's face, welcoming her back as a friend? If two people from opposite sides of the spectrum: Gifford "a head of the beast", according to one psychopath on here, and Bachmann, prophetess of Yahweh the Capitalist can act that way, what's the big deal here?

[Agatha09]

Finally! This is a debate I'm commenting to, obviously what with the comments above. All I have to say is:THE WAR NOT THE POOR! THE WAR NOT THE POOR! THE WAR NOT THE POOR! THE WAR NOT THE POOR! I think it is terrible that big disgustingly rich Militants and Families of them are given so much money and wasting our American WAY down the drain! There should not be a focus also on certain less recognizable issues in Government as well. These are unmentionable, I believe. I mean GOD! I am glad it was figured out and a proposed plan for GOPS was initiated! I am relaxing this evening and reading a good book with a cup of mmm... cofee!!Medicare, Smaller based Political issues, Huge Militants was brought up and I just could not believe that Medicare and the smaller based issues ha! Nobody dies for somebody else's money! NOBODY DIES FOR SOMEBODY ELSE's MONEY!I really do think that was right! That's right you rich big thieves! ITS THE WAR NOT THE POOR!!!!

[wlhoppers]

Lost your prescription for Xanax did you?

[Zann-Zel]

you are joking, please tell me you are.....or being sarcastic.....The lady was in a coma
-------W
Well George, did you actually expect her to sit up in bed and say "Hey let me quickly resign before I go back to my coma."
You can't have it both ways! Either you think she has the presence of mind to make those decisions or you don't!

[sknopping]

The cold, horrid hearts of the people on this site. Are you kidding me? Gabrielle Giffords was shot, remember? Working as a Congresswoman, remember? She has been undergoing surgeries and therapies, remember? Any business any where in America who would take away her position/job as a result would make the newspeople squirm with delight not to mention the ACLU. Gabrielle Giffords had the absolute right given her position to go to Congress and vote any time she was/is able. You don't like that she voted when she voted and how she voted- THEN DON'T RE-ELECT HER. But stop the nastiness. What a brave family! A husband who orbits Earth and a wife who fights for Americans on Earth. Don't like it? Then why don't you step away from your computer and do something positive. THE GIFFORDS ARE!

[jose_z1]

...so as the votes are being made at this so important of all votes and the tension rises at house or representatives, the main doors open. And with wind and light shinning from behind this figure who no one can identify... a great silence takes over..

"IT IS HER!!!", "It can't be??"... the people were heard whispering one another

IT WAS rep Giffords who on her own power walks in to make the most important vote of the year....

The people cheer, they cry, and watch her make her long walk to her vote.

as everyone watches her vote, music plays and angels sing

.....

People, do you really believe that this was her scheduled day to return?

It is so obvious that this was dragged in, from her recovery room, by the dem leadership for the media to promote.

[Zann-Zel]

"would have approved"???
-------
The woman is NOT dead. She is still alive and still able to make her own decisions.

[rsimpson69]

@Zann-Zel... BUT, is she still capable of making decisions for others, as implied by holding elected office? Are you an expert on cranial gunshot wounds? No disrespect, but what assurances do the American people have that our futures are not in the hands of easily manipulated zombies, or perhaps almost as risky, the victims of brain trauma?

If her office and vote are as important as we're always led to believe, she should have been replaced already, at least temporarily.

[The Platzner Post]

Congratulations Gabbie!!!

[DLC312]

It was very good to see her up and about and back in Washington and at the Capital and being able to vote.

[Bobnip]

How nice it is of Congresswoman Giffords to set aside her disdain of us terrible Republicans and our preoccupation with vitriolic rhetoric that has caused every evil event including, but not limited to, the burning of Rome!

I know! Let's blame it on Bush!