Two former vice presidents joined Vice President Pence on Capitol Hill Wednesday, as the three participated in the swearing-in of Sens. Doug Jones (D-Ala.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.).
A picture tweeted out by Pence press secretary Alyssa Farah shows the vice president speaking with his predecessor, Vice President Joe Biden
Joseph (Joe) Robinette BidenOvernight Tech: FCC won't delay net neutrality vote | Google pulls YouTube from Amazon devices | Biden scolds social media firms over transparency Medicaid funds shouldn't be used to subsidize state taxes on health care Biden hits social media firms over lack of transparency MORE, and Carter-era Vice President Walter Mondale before the ceremony.
3 Vice Presidents: @VP Pence, @JoeBiden & Walter Mondale catch up on Capitol Hill. pic.twitter.com/5YSTbA7OAV
— Alyssa Farah (@VPPressSec) January 3, 2018
Personal connections brought the two former vice presidents to the ceremony. Biden, who escorted Jones, campaigned for the Democrat in Alabama, while Mondale once mentored Smith before she became Minnesota lieutenant governor.
Biden and Pence reportedly have a congenial relationship. Biden said he was leaving his office in "good hands" with Pence shortly after last November's election.
Jones won a hard-fought Senate special election in December over Roy Moore
Roy Stewart MooreSeth Meyers mocks Roy Moore riding a horse to vote: ‘Two animals not allowed in the mall’ Colbert on Jones victory: 'It's a Christmas miracle!' Virginia gov on Alabama race: 'America wins. Pedophiles lose!' MORE (R), who battled accusations he pursued sexual relationships with teenage girls when he was in his 30s.
Biden vocally supported Jones during his campaign, and tweeted his praise for the former prosecutor after his victory. Jones would typically be escorted by Sen. Richard Shelby
Richard Craig ShelbyObstruction of justice watch: Trump attacks the FBI The Hill's 12:30 Report Alabama businesses fear Moore victory would hurt state economy: report MORE (R-Ala.), the state's other senator, but Shelby was not asked.
“Doug Jones. Thank you, Alabama. You’ve elected a man of incredible integrity, grit, and character,” Biden said.
“A fighter for working class and middle class Alabamians. He is going to make you proud in the Senate," Biden tweeted last month.
Smith was appointed to her seat by Minnesota Gov. Eric Dayton (D) after the resignation of Sen. Al Franken
Alan (Al) Stuart FrankenDemocrats turn on Al Franken Schumer called, met with Franken and told him to resign Overnight Finance: Trump says shutdown 'could happen' | Ryan, conservatives inch closer to spending deal | Senate approves motion to go to tax conference | Ryan promises 'entitlement reform' in 2018 MORE (D-Minn.) over sexual misconduct accusations.
