Gabrielle Giffords Resigns

Gabrielle Giffords was feted by colleagues including Nancy Pelosi, Steny Hoyer, and Debbie Wasserman Schultz today in her last day on the House floor. "Today I know that now is not the time. I have more work to do on my recovery before I can again serve in elected office," wrote Giffords in a resignation letter to John Boehner read aloud by Wasserman Schultz. "Every day I am working hard. I will recover, and will return, and we will work together again, for Arizona and for all Americans."

Giffords received a standing ovation after the letter was read, as she personally handed it to an emotional Boehner, who was crying, of course. Giffords' last act as a member of Congress was to vote on her final bill, HR 3801, which she introduced on Monday. The bill would increase penalties for those who smuggle drugs from Mexico into the US using ultralight planes, The Hill reports. It passed by a vote of 408 to 0, the Atlantic Wire adds. (More Gabrielle Giffords stories.)