Biden Lauds Dole at Funeral, Says He ‘Lived by a Code of Honor’

Politics|Biden Lauds Dole astatine Funeral, Says He ‘Lived by a Code of Honor’

WASHINGTON — President Biden honored erstwhile Senator Bob Dole connected Friday arsenic a World War II seasoned and elephantine of the Senate, saying astatine a ceremonial work astatine Washington National Cathedral that helium “lived by a codification of honor.”

It was the 2nd time of tributes successful Washington to the erstwhile Senate bulk person and Republican statesmanlike nominee, who worked with Democrats to beforehand Social Security, support the disabled and rework the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly called nutrient stamps. On Thursday, Mr. Biden, arsenic good arsenic legislature leadership, lauded Mr. Dole for representing the benignant of bipartisanship that the president has described arsenic a absorption of his to legislating.

“Bob was a antheral who ever did his duty,” Mr. Biden said. “Who lived by a codification of honor. Almost seems unusual to accidental that today. He lived by a codification of honor.”

Among attendees successful the cathedral were Vice President Kamala Harris, erstwhile Vice Presidents Mike Pence and Dick Cheney, Gen. Mark A. Milley, the president of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, arsenic good arsenic Senators Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer, the number and bulk leaders, sitting broadside by side. The histrion Tom Hanks was besides contiguous and expected to speak.

When Elizabeth Dole, Mr. Dole’s widow, entered the cathedral, she stopped to shingle hands with Mr. Biden.

Mr. Biden spoke of Mr. Dole’s combativeness, some connected the battlefield during World War II and successful the halls of Congress.

“He could beryllium partisan, and that was fine,” Mr. Biden said. “Americans person been partisan since Jefferson and Hamilton squared disconnected successful George Washington’s cabinet. But similar them, Bob Dole was a patriot.”

Mr. Biden, who soon aft his inauguration visited the Doles astatine their Washington location aft Mr. Dole learned helium had lung cancer, spoke of traveling to Normandy with the Senate staple for the 50th day of D-Day.

Mr. Biden told the assemblage a communicative of Mr. Dole helping a “fallen comrade” arsenic they took connected gunfire.

“There’s thing that connects that past and present,” Mr. Biden said. “Wartime and peace. Then and now. The courage, the grit, the goodness and the grace. A 2nd lieutenant named Bob Dole became Congressman Dole, Senator Dole, statesman, husband, father, friend.”

Mr. Biden added “a genuine hero.”

After his remarks, Mr. Biden stepped down from the signifier and paused for a infinitesimal astatine Mr. Dole’s coffin earlier returning to his seat.