Giffords back in Houston after debt-limit vote

[August 02, 2011]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- A friend of Gabrielle Giffords says the wounded congresswoman returned to Houston right after her dramatic appearance Monday on the House floor.

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz says Giffords "still has a long way to go" in her recovery, and "will be back at all her therapies" Wednesday.

Seven months ago, Giffords was shot in the head in the parking lot of a Tucson grocery store while meeting with constituents. She returned to Washington to vote for the bill raising the nation's debt limit.

Wasserman Schultz, who appeared Tuesday on all three network morning shows, says even "the most grizzled, hardened hearts" melted when lawmakers realized Giffords was back at the Capitol.

She says Giffords was "so appreciative of the outpouring of support."

[Associated Press; By DONNA CASSATA]

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