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January 18, 2011

Giffords' Recovery Improves, Upgraded to Serious 
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Doctors treating Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords have upgraded her
condition to serious from critical. Giffords is reportedly now able to
smile and even gave her husband a back-rub as he sat by her hospital
bed. The Washington Post meanwhile is reporting Giffords could lose her
seat under a longtime Arizona regulation that mandates a special
election if an elected official does not perform their duties for three
months. Arizona Governor Jan Brewer's office has suggested she will
amend the statute to ensure Giffords retains her seat.



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