Retired NASA astronaut and Navy Capt. Mark Kelly (R) and his wife, shooting victim and former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-AZ) prepares to give an opening statement before the Senate Judiciary Committee during hearing about gun control on Capitol Hill January 30, 2013 in Washington, DC. Giffords delivered an opening statment to the committee, which met for the first time since the mass shooting at a Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords is following up her dramatic appeal for gun control on Capitol Hill with a visit to the White House.
White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters that President Barack Obama was looking forward to seeing Giffords and her husband, retired and Navy Capt. Mark Kelly, later Wednesday.
He said everyone at the White House was “heartened” to see her appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
The former Arizona congresswoman spoke briefly and haltingly at the beginning of a Senate hearing on tougher gun laws. She urged lawmakers to “be bold” to pass laws to protect children.
Kelly testified as well and described his wife’s struggles to walk, talk and see since being shot in an assassination attempt two years ago that left six others dead.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.
