As the House began voting Monday evening on a bipartisan bill to raise the nation's debt ceiling, Democrats held back their votes, trying to force Republicans to take full responsibility for the debt limit package negotiated with President Obama. It was partisan politics to the bitter end for both sides on this issue that has dominated the political debate in recent weeks.
But by the time enough votes went up on the board to insure the bill's passage, no one seemed to notice.
Back in early January, I happened to be in front of my computer when news broke that Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona had been shot and wounded. Still on my screen was her tweet from just over an hour earlier:
"My 1st Congress on Your Corner starts now. Please stop by to let me know what is on your mind or tweet me later."
It was indeed ironic that almost seven months to the day after that attack, a tweet from Giffords indicated she was back on Capitol Hill.
"Gabrielle has returned to Washington to support a bipartisan bill to prevent economic crisis," it read.
Most members had no idea their colleague would soon be back in the House Chamber, and while we waited to see her triumphant return - politics were still winning the day on the House floor.
With the vote time almost finished, over 100 Democrats had still not voted on the debt limit bill, trying to force as many Republicans as possible to vote for the plan, an effort by Democrats to make sure GOP fingerprints were all over the measure.
But all of a sudden, colleagues of Giffords suddenly forgot about their very political battle.
Lawmakers in both parties stood and applauded as Giffords made her way on to the House floor, getting hugs from fellow members, many of whom were in tears as they greeted their colleague.
The vote on the debt limit quickly became an afterthought.
Those dozens of Democrats and Republicans who had been holding back their votes for political reasons, all of a sudden put their card into the machine and cast their vote, as did Rep. Giffords, who received a big cheer.
There were more important things to do - Gabby Giffords was back.
Looking thin, but smiling broadly, Giffords hugged what seemed to be every lawmaker within reach, almost looking embarrassed at all of the attention.
And while everyone focused on Giffords, the debt limit bill rushed to approval.
It was a humbling reminder to the Congress - political battles are just that, but friends and colleagues are something more special.
Maybe it was a little bit of a reality check as well.
