Photo by sinksanctity.

Good morning, Washington. That’ll teach us to not watch C-SPAN — a genuinely touching moment was captured by the cameras in the chamber when Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) made her return to the House chamber to vote on the debt ceiling compromise last night. The House passed the bill on the day before the government was slated to go into default; the bill, however, appears to do the unemployed and local defense contractors no favors.

Bush Protest Lawsuit Settled: Over 70 people were controversially arrested in Adams Morgan on January 2, 2005 while protesting the second inauguration of George W. Bush — protesters claimed that they were not given sufficient warning by police to disperse. So the ACLU took up the case, and yesterday, the District settled, agreeing to pay the group $250,000, expunge their records and also admit that the city was unable to link any of those arrested to “any specific acts of property damage or any similar illegal acts.” A federal judge had made a similar ruling in 2008, though it was overturned upon appeal.

Oh, The Humanity: Now, I can’t say I’d be thrilled to receive a $1,000 ticket for not properly separating my recycling or mistakenly throwing a Coke can into the trash bin. But, as they say, the law’s the law — and the city’s hard up for revenue. (Is it time to resurrect the gap closing hashtag?)

Asylum To Beef Up: Noted Adams Morgan vegan brunch spot Asylum will begin construction this morning to convert its first floor into a barbecue eatery, reports the City Paper. The bar’s dank basement won’t be going anywhere, but it’s an interesting commentary on the area’s dining scene when such an institution feels the need to make such a departure from its regular offerings.

Briefly Noted: Beltway comes to a halt for hours due to fatal accident…Man struck by Red Line train at Friendship Heights yesterday remains in serious condition…On NIMBYism in Anacostia’s business district…The Peaceaholics co-founder not named Ron Moten is planning to challenge Marion Barry in 2012…Marathon’s going to have to pay for police protection now…If you ever wanted to hear “Love Shack” at the National Zoo, well, now’s your chance.

This Day in DCist: Last year, Vince Gray met President Obama, we assessed political candidates’ use of online media, and a brawl broke out at an awards ceremony honoring the District’s “most successfully rehabilitated” youth offenders.