Gabrielle Giffords Returns to Congress

Members of Congress may have bickered long and loudly about whether or not to raise the debt ceiling, but one thing brought together legislators on both sides of the aisle: celebrating Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords's triumphant return to the chamber to cast her first vote since being shot in the head in January.

The unannounced – and emotional – appearance came as a surprise to her colleagues, who greeted the recuperating Rep. Giffords with a standing ovation when she walked into the House on Monday, assisted by her chief of staff and Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

Recognizing colleagues and greeting them by name, Giffords brought tears to the eyes of many of the representatives, who gathered around to shake her hand. Some emb...