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Subscribe to RSSRep. Gabrielle Giffords, gravely wounded in a shooting a year ago, will resign from Congress. NBC's Kelly O'Donnell reports.
Updated at 6:02 p.m. ET
Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D) will resign from Congress this week, she announced in a video message posted Sunday.
Giffords, the victim of a gunshot wound to the head in an attack a year ago in her Arizona district, cited her continued work toward recovery as a reason for stepping down from her seat.
"I have more work to do on my recovery, so to do what is best for Arizona I will step down this week," she said in a video message posted to YouTube. "I will return and we will work together for Arizona and this great country."
According to a statement posted on her Congressional website, Giffords will attend Tuesday night's State of the Union address as one of her final acts as a member of Congress before submitting her resignation to Speaker John Boehner on Wednesday. The statement also says Giffords plans to "finish" the Congress on your Corner event where the shooting happened before she leaves office.
"Gabby Giffords embodies the very best of what public service should be. She's universally admired for qualities that transcend party or ideology - a dedication to fairness, a willingness to listen to different ideas, and a tireless commitment to the work of perfecting our union. That's why the people of Arizona chose Gabby - to speak and fight and stand up for them," President Obama said in a statement Sunday evening. "Gabby's cheerful presence will be missed in Washington. But she will remain an inspiration to all whose lives she touched - myself included. And I'm confident that we haven't seen the last of this extraordinary American."
Giffords has enjoyed a remarkable recovery since being shot in that Jan. 8, 2011 incident that left six dead.
Prior to that shooting, she had been considered a rising Democratic star, and had been considering a bid for Senate this fall. During the course of her recovery, she has been absent from Capitol Hill except for a surprise return to vote in August on an agreement to raise the nation's debt ceiling.
“I salute Congresswoman Giffords for her service, and for the courage and perseverance she has shown in the face of tragedy. She will be missed,” House Speaker John Boehner said in a statement.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi reacted to the announcement in a statement saying Giffords "has been a true bright star - a dynamic and creative public servant. Gabby's message of bipartisanship and civility is one that all in Washington and the nation should honor and emulate." Pelosi continued, "I join all my colleagues in Congress in thanking Gabby for the honor of calling her colleague and wishing Gabby and Mark great success and happiness. She will be missed in the House of Representatives, but her legacy in the Congress and her leadership for our nation will certainly continue."
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Such a wonderful strong woman. I did not want her to step down but she did the right thing. Concentrate on her recovery. I wish we had more like her in politics.
Her recovery is nothing short of miraculous, her efforts to overcome the tragic shooting are unbelievable. Now, lets look at a similar situation with thousands of wounded veterans from the many wars we have fought for our country and look at their current situation - brain damage, missing arms, legs, vision, scarring etc, and let the government take care of these heroes in a similar fashion. Her being a member of Congress should not enable all the coverage on the newspapers, television and internet and yet very little is said or shown about these wounded warriors. Give them similar coverage, give them similar compensation, give them similar medical care, give them what they deserve.
Exactly, what an interesting comment, I've been saying that for a while. People need to realize there's a totally different approach when it comes to medical care for these politicians, as opposed to medical care for our fighting men, and women, whom THEY send to war.
If it were not for "politicians insurance," she probably would have not been so lucky.
This is basically what is said in the book Gabby, she feels everyone should have the same access to care she has had and continues to receive. Especially our wounded veterans.
Whatever political affiliation any of us may have, Gabby Gifford should be in inspiration to us all. I wish her nothing less than a speedy and full recovery.
Her recovery has been a very bright spot in a horrible story.
Now that she's resigned we should turn our efforts to getting someone that will help Arizona and the rest of the nation to overcome the damage done to America during the past three years. 5 trillion in obama debt.
This country is on the wrong track.
She should have resigned many months ago when it was determined she could not serve the people due to her condition. She waited this long to resign so the tax payers could cover all her medical bills.
So, let me get this straight: She did know how long the therapy was going to be, do she scammed the taxpayers? That's rather extreme, no?
Steve, your moral turpitude has reached the lowest point of your life.
What a low life.
Steve...You are the southern most part of a horse heading north.
That's a funny statement. If you think by a long shot her resigning gets the tax payers off the hook, you need to read more.
If I had a horrendous injury, I would be reluctant to say I am resigning from the life I knew, because that would be slamming the door to the hope that I could erase the event that changed my life.Soldiers who have horrendous injuries in war immediately say they plan to go back to their unit. It takes a long time to get through the process of acceptance. I suspect her reason for waiting is more emotional than practical,just like for the soldiers.
Such an ignorant, mean-spirited thing to say about an incredibly strong and gracious woman. I wonder how you would feel if she were a family member or friend of yours.
Still, does Steve not make somewhat of a point?
Hardly. She's been a member of Congress long enough to retire and be under the healthcare that they get for life. Also, she would be covered by her husband who is retired military, previously assigned as a Naval aviator with NASA -- whether he is eligible for anything under military benefits and Tricare, I'm not sure. She would ordinarily be entitled to a lifetime pension starting at fifty, not sure if it is moved up for disability, though. And you know what, I don't begrudge her a penny of it, and if I could sign up for all of the federal income tax that I pay for the rest my life be assigned toward helping to cover it, I might do it. If anyone ever became disabled in the service of their country, it is she -- shot while meeting to learn the concerns of the average people and to take those back to Washington, not while out getting a big meal with a lobbyist.
So much for all those veterans who come back to the states with PTSD- the same ones who also served their country and don't receive the same benefits
I wish the same level of care for all of them. Some of the "people who gave their lives for our country" aren't dead yet -- and we know who some of them are and they deserve better than getting such a hard way to go and a total runaround.
Rasputin === Now I know why you chose your moniker. Very honest on your part.
Gabby Gifford's recovery is nothing short of miraculous, her efforts to overcome the tragic shooting are unbelievable. Now, lets look at a similar situation with thousands of wounded veterans from the many wars we have fought for our country and look at their current situation - brain damage, missing arms, legs, vision, scarring etc, families with no father, and let the government take care of these heroes in a similar fashion. Her being a member of Congress should not enable all the coverage on the newspapers, television and internet and yet very little is said or shown about these wounded warriors. Give them similar coverage, give them similar compensation, give them similar medical care, give them what they deserve.
Good luck Gabby.
continue get well. You are doing wonderfully!!
Take Care.
She'll be missed. Hope her hubby runs in her place. Or maybe he'll run for the senate seat.
So very, very sad. I pray for her. Unfortunately, the tired old hag who is somehow our Governor probably gets to appoint a Republican to fill her seat and then run as an incumbent.
Nope. House seats stay vacant until the special election. Only Senate seats are filled by appointment, so you're not only very impolite, you are also very WRONG (and now I'm impolite).
I will never forget this Lady. Not even close to being a liberal or a Dem but this Lady is a class act no matter what her believes are. I wish her and her family the best in whatever they do in the future. They never deserved this to happen. then again noone does
A long over due decision. She can not serve her constituents.
God bless you and keep you and yours safe. We all hope to see you back when the time is right!!!!!
Another sad day in politics. I understand why the congresswoman needs to focus on her own recovery. And she is a strong fighter and a true Democrat. I just hope that her resignation does not lead to another Republican nut bag taking over her seat. God bless you Gabby for your ability to compromise and your strength to lead. You will be missed.
Even with her brain damage she is better than most others in Congress. She is doing the right thing.
Truly sad that the Tea Party (cross hairs) won this one. I always thought the fact she survived is what kept Sarah out of the GOP race. She would have been reminded of her vicious tactics at every stop.
I second the idea that her husband campaign to take her place.
You're too much of a wimp to be a real TEXAN. Both parties have long used that and other violent analogies, and that's what they're meant to be, analogies. If you think that the douche who shot her who had been carrying around a letter from her for years waiting to get even was motivated by a TV ad and otherwise would've just been at home on the couch j@*king off, then you're only a little more rational than he is.
Rlquall---LT is as much a Texan as that other one, George W Bush. And his papa, who lives in Houston. I'm more a Texan than either Bush. I wonder when LT moved to Texas, how long it has been a Texan.
Wow. I would kill to have guts and class like that.
Get better Gabrielle Giffords. And I hope you do return.
Better watch out. Now LOYALWIMP thinks that you are advocating violence against another member of Congress by saying "I would kill..."
Sad for her but can she the rest of them to resign along with her? Term limits are the only hope.
Get better soon Gabby!! You're a real inspiration to everyone, whether Democratic, Republican, Independent, whatever!! I hope to see you in Congress again!! GET BETTER SOON, YA HEAR?
In a case like this, she should be allowed to pick her successor. Something of course the republicans would never stand for, having the philosophy of winning any way you can.
That's about the dumbest thing that I've ever heard. You obviously wouldn't feel that way if a Republican had been shot. Obama and Chicago are a great example of "winning any way you can", but it's hardly the Republicans doing it. Keep the partisan vitriol for someplace else.
I kinda had the feeling she wasn't quite ready to return yet, I just hope the folks in AZ have the decency to replace her with a like-minded Dem, and not take advantage of her misfortune and replace her with someone she would not support. I don't mean to be callous by injecting politics into such a sad event, but her decision to resign is about politics and the ultimate balance of power in Congress.
She has put Arizona first and now it is time to put herself first and give her all to recovery and returning to a quality life beside her husband, Mark. Gabby is an inspiration to all. She is what is good about America. I hope we will continue to read updates as she moves forward in her rehabilitation. Good luck, Gabby. Mark, you are the best husband and I wish you and your bride years of happiness.
May God bless and keep you Ms.Gifford.I hope for your continued recovery.THE American people have a true Hero in you.Maybe your life of service to our country will be an example for GOOD and DECENT citizens to step up and serve the nation. THANK YOU !
Sad, but necessary. I don't think she has the mental capacity.
But wish her well . She already has made AMAZING progress! thank you Jesus!
I don't think Jesus had a hand in this, otherwise she wouldn't had been shot in the first place.
Why do people feel this fanatic compulsion to bring their religious beliefs in anything they write?
Grow up.
You're the "Mad Monk", so why don't you tell us?
It was surprising to see her come back so quickly, and we can only wish her the best. Being in government service is likely not the best thing for her at this time, since everything seems to be falling apart and the presures of office is not something that she needs right now.
DS
Giffords: You are a true American Hero. You are an inspiration to all of us, since before this incident, and now the year of rehabilitation and recovery you have endured. So long for now, but I expect to see you return when you are better. And from what we have seen of you; what you have shown us, you will come back stronger...and lead your constituency once again. God Bless....