Senators offer condolences to Biden family

Senators on Monday lamented the death of Beau Biden, two days after the vice president’s son died after a battle with brain cancer. 

Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) said that Vice President Biden losing his oldest son “is like a dagger into our hearts.”

{mosads}“That family has had more of its share of tragedy,” he added. “So we grieve with the family. We grieve for them and with the nation.”

Biden’s office announced Beau Biden’s death on Saturday. He is the second of Biden’s children to die. Joe Biden first wife, Neilia, and his year-old daughter Naomi died in a 1972 car accident. 

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) added that most senators knew something was “terribly wrong” with Beau Biden. 

“Most of us knew that there was something terribly wrong when we approached the vice president about his son’s illness and Joe, the vice president, in a very hushed terms would say ‘pray for him,’” he said. 

He said that the death will underscore the resilience of the Biden family. 

“The loss of Beau Biden is the loss of a young man who was destined for even greater things in a public life, but it is another test of a great family, the Biden family,” Durbin said. “A test which I’m sure they will pass and endure.”

Beau Biden, 46, had served as Delaware’s attorney general until earlier this year. He also served in the Delaware Army National Guard, and was considered a potential contender in Delaware’s 2016 governor election. 

Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) told NBC News that “I always thought he would succeed me in the U.S. Senate.”

Monday’s remarks follow comments from Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.)who offered their condolences to the Biden family from the Senate floor Sunday. 

Senate Chaplain Barry Black also mentioned the death in his daily opening prayer on Monday, saying “Lord, comfort the Biden family and all those who are grieving the loss of Beau Biden.”