Rep. Barber, wounded in Giffords shooting, undergoes cancer surgery

Rep. Ron Barber (D-Ariz.), the former aide to Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), underwent surgery Monday to remover a cancerous tumor from his tongue.

According to CNN, Barber is expected to return to work next week.

"Congressman Barber was released from the hospital earlier today after a successful surgery," Barber's doctor, Audrey Erman, said in a statement. "He is expected to make a full recovery."

Barber won a special election called after Giffords announced her retirement from the House to focus on her recovery from brain injuries she suffered during a shooting in January 2011.

Barber, who was also wounded in the assassination attempt on the former congresswoman's life, won re-election to the House earlier this month.

In the attack, Barber suffered wounds to his face and thigh. The shooting outside a Tucson supermarket left six dead and 13 wounded.

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