cross-posted from Main Street Insider
RT @samsteinhp: Giffords statement: "I had to be here for this vote. I could not take the chance that my absence could crash our economy.”
I'll update this with transcripts or written statements just as soon as I can find them, but here is video of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords returning to Congress specifically for this vote.
Tucson Weekly has an email from the Congresswoman's office:
The vote taking place today is the single most important vote taken this year by the House of Representatives. The congresswoman insisted on participating.
Congresswoman Giffords has been following this debate closely over the past two weeks. Like the vast majority of Americans, she is extremely disappointed at Washington’s inability to confront the debt ceiling issue in a timely and thoughtful manner.
5:06 PM PT: jan4insight caught these comments from a Huffington Post article:
"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 a statement from her office. “After weeks of failed debate in Washington, I was pleased to see a solution to this crisis emerge. 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."
7:48 PM PT: Comments from Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz:
"This is a day for the history books," said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-20). "We saved our country from going into default and my beloved friend and ever-optimistic colleague Rep. Gabrielle Giffords returned to the floor to cast her vote in favor of the future of our nation.
We are all so proud of her. So many prayers of hope were sent in Gabby's honor, and we knew this day would come. Her strength and determination over these last few months have been phenomenal and I'm so thrilled she could join us on the House Floor this evening.
I believe, as Gabby does, that our country has to be strong enough to come together to solve the challenges before us, and that's what finally prevailed today."