Last night, there wasn’t a dry eye in the House — literally — as a thunderous chorus of applause overtook the U.S. House of Representatives. No, it wasn’t due to passage of the debt ceiling vote. The raucous and spontaneous outburst came when Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords walked into the chambers in a triumphant return to Capitol Hill.
Giffords, who was shot in the head by a crazed gunman in January, has rarely been seen in public as she spent several tedious months of recovering from the attempt on her life. But still being the official representative of her Arizona district and believing her vote might be pivotal in the debt ceiling debate, Congresswoman Giffords surprised just about everyone when she showed up to cast a ballot.
Tears of joy and emotional hugs from Republicans and Democrats alike greeted Giffords, who responded to the outpouring of love with a smile, as she mouthed a simple “thank you” several times.
Giffords walked onto the House floor with the assistance of her fellow colleague and DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz, then was greeted by Vice-President Joe Biden. For a split second, members were unaware of the cause of the commotion due to her arrival. But once they realized it was Gabby Giffords, all business ceased as members raced to greet her. “We were just hugging. Girl hugs,” Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi said. “It was one of the most thrilling moments for all of us to see this real heroine return to the House, and to do so at such a dramatic time.”
Republican Rep. Ted Poe of Texas echoed the same sentiments: “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,” he said.
Incidentally, Giffords cast her vote for the bill, which passed 269-161.
