Vice President Biden was in full character on Thursday during a swearing-in ceremony on the first day of the 113th Congress.
"Spread your legs, you're going to be frisked," Biden joked to the husband of Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) just after the photographer told everyone to drop their hands.
"Drop your hands — you say that to someone in North Dakota they think it's a frisk. Drop your hands to the side ..." Biden chuckled. "I'm a little too formal, I know."
Biden was jovial while swearing in lawmakers and posing for pictures with members and their families. When introduced to a few legislators' mothers, the vice president repeatedly greeted each one with a "Hey, Mom!"
And, while posing with newly minted conservative Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), the vice president picked up one of Cruz's daughters, who had started whining.
"It's a Democrat, I know, but it's OK," Biden said, trying to comfort the young girl.
