Lawmakers Cheer Giffords on House Visit

Former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords returned to the House floor on Thursday, marking the 15th anniversary of the assassination attempt that ended her congressional career and stunned the nation. The attack, which occurred during a constituent event in Arizona, became an early symbol of the political violence that has continued to plague American democracy.

Giffords stood holding hands with her husband, Sen. Mark Kelly, as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries praised her years of service in Congress and her continued advocacy for gun-control measures, according to the Associated Press. She received a standing ovation from dozens of lawmakers, most of them Democrats.

“House Democrats stand with Gabby and with all Americans who say ‘enough is enough,’” Jeffries said, adding that his party would make gun-safety legislation a priority if Democrats regain the House majority in November’s midterm elections.

Giffords was shot in the head on Jan. 8, 2011, while meeting with constituents outside a grocery store in Tucson, Arizona. Six people were killed and 12 others wounded in the attack. Giffords survived but was left with partial paralysis and aphasia, a language disorder that affects speech. The gunman, Jared Loughner, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia, was later sentenced to life in prison after being deemed competent to stand trial.

The attack on a political event foreshadowed an era of escalating threats and violence aimed at public officials and civic institutions, including the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol and threats against figures such as President Trump and members of Congress.

After leaving Congress to focus on her recovery, Giffords co-founded a political organization with Kelly now known as GIFFORDS. The group advocates for stricter gun laws and works to elect state and federal candidates who support those policies.

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