Senate holds two-hour Biden lovefest

Senators took to the Senate floor on Wednesday to honor Vice President Biden, who served in the upper chamber for decades. 

The speeches, which were formally scheduled for an hour, lasted more than two hours as lawmakers from both parties shared jokes and their favorite memories of Biden, who is also the president of the Senate. 

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) acknowledged Biden’s well-known love of talking, noting it was “good news” he was presiding because “he has to let everyone else talk.”  

He also referenced an article from the satirical website The Onion that included a photoshopped image of a shirtless Biden washing a Trans Am as an example of his humor.  

“He’s got a well-deserved sense of humor. He doesn’t take himself too seriously, either,” McConnell added. “America embraced [The Onion article] and so did he.” 

{mosads}In total, 22 senators praised Biden, who served in the chamber 36 years before becoming vice president. 

The floor speeches also drew former Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh (D), fresh off his Senate campaign defeat, to the floor. Senators held a closed-door reception for Biden after the floor speeches. 

Lawmakers also pointed to Biden as a bridge between President Obama and lawmakers. 

“There’s a reason ‘get Joe on the phone’ is shorthand for time to get serious in my office,” McConnell said.

Outgoing Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Obama has told him Biden is the “president’s rock, his confidant and his friend.”

Lawmakers also told personal anecdotes from their decades-long relationships with Biden.

“We’ve been friends for almost 40 years, since I was a Navy Senate liaison and used to carry your bags on overseas trips,” said Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). 

The remembrance for Biden comes two days after the Senate renamed part of the 21st Century Cures Act after Biden’s late son, Beau Biden. 

Biden also met with House Democrats this week and will be back in the Capitol on Thursday for Reid’s farewell.