Politics / Gabrielle Giffords Among Debt Bill's 'Aye' Votes: Giffords Arizona congresswoman returns to DC for historic debt ceiling vote By Polly Davis Doig, Newser Staff Posted Aug 1, 2011 6:31 PM CDT Copied Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, center, waves during her first time on the House floor since her shooting earlier this year, after a vote on the debt compromise Monday, Aug. 1, 2011. (AP Photo/APTN) Among House Democrats who crossed the aisle to vote in favor of tonight's debt ceiling bill was one for whom those steps were unthinkable just months ago: Rep. Gabrielle Giffords made her return to Washington today to vote in favor of the measure, reports Politico. “Gabrielle has returned to Washington to support a bipartisan bill to prevent economic crisis," tweeted Giffords' office just before the vote. "Turn on C-SPAN now.” The Arizona rep cast her vote to applause and hugs from Democrats and Republicans alike, notes the Hill. (More Gabrielle Giffords stories.) Report an error