(Image source: TIME/Roll Call)

BY TRACY PFEIFFER

ANCHOR MEGAN MURPHY

You're watching multisource politics news analysis from Newsy.

It’s probably safe to say - U.S. debt limit negotiations have been pretty ugly.

But hard feelings seemed to melt away Monday -- when a surprise guest showed up for the House’s vote on the debt limit deal.

In what’s being called Washington’s ‘best kept secret,’ Arizona representative Gabrielle Giffords arrived to cast her vote on the debt deal.

It was the first public appearance since the representative was shot through the skull back in January.

“There was a huge ovation in the House of Representatives and a number of people there thought that the president of the United States was actually there for the vote. Turns out Gabby Giffords was there and she cast a vote ‘yes’ to pass it.” (Fox News)

Giffords was greeted by a long standing ovation -- and hugs all around.

In a statement, the Congresswoman explained -- this vote was simply too important to miss.

"I have closely followed the debate over our debt ceiling and have been deeply disappointed at what's going on in Washington ...I could not take the chance that my absence could crash our economy." (The Arizona Republic)

And the media seemed all too happy to talk about everyone getting along -- even if just for that moment.

“Her electrifying return to the House floor to help seal the deal.” (ABC)

“Just when it looked like Washington couldn’t agree on anything -- there was an actual moment of unity. …There she is.” (MSNBC)

“She waved and she smiled and she hugged and she blew kisses to colleagues and she mouthed the words ‘I love you’ repeatedly.” (Fox News)

Giffords was joined by her husband, retired astronaut Mark Kelly, as well as friend and congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz -- who teared up as she described the moment to MSNBC.

“The reaction in the chamber was the most enthusiastic, exuberant, exhilarating -- I mean, we were all crying, thrilled. You know, we just knew that she would make a triumphant return, and we knew her and predicted that it would happen.”

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi was one of the few people in on the surprise visit -- and this is what she had to say as Giffords arrived.

"Throughout America, there isn't a name that stirs more love, more admiration, more respect, more wishing for our daughters to be like her than the name of Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. Thank you, Gabby." (applause) (CNN)

Vice President Joe Biden made an appearance on the floor to greet the Representative -- where the good feelings were so good that he even reportedly hugged GOP presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann.

That got some disbelief from reporters, and Biden responded...

“We’re all standing there around, and Michele walks up to see Gabby, because she cares about her. I mean, look. The thing that sometimes gets lost in this place - maybe I spent too much time here as a senator - there is a basic humanity here, man. It matters between people.” (The Washington Post)

Giffords’ spokesperson says the ultimate goal in her recovery -- is to get the Congresswoman back on the job full-time.

And the House -- did end up passing the debt deal.

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