Giffords may not return to Congress

Gabrielle Giffords, the congresswoman shot in the head in Arizona in January, struggles to form sentences and it is unclear if she will resume work in Congress, an aide said.

Her chief of staff, Pia Carusone, told the Arizona Republic Ms Giffords relied mainly on facial expressions and hand gestures to communicate. A decision on returning to work does not have to be made until May 2012, Ms Carusone said, adding that if progress were to slow down or stop, Ms Giffords would be unable to fulfil her legislative responsibilities.