Maryland Rep. Steny Hoyer Among Congressional Leaders Who Presented Gifts To President Joe Biden Following Inauguration
WASHINGTON, D.C. (WJZ/AP) -- House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer presented photos from Wednesday's ceremony to President Joe Biden.
Hoyer, a Democrat from Maryland, was among the congressional leaders that presented gifts to Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, including a pair of flags flown over the U.S. Capitol during the inauguration.
The presentations to the officials and their respective spouses happened Wednesday in lieu of a congressional luncheon that typically follows the inauguration ceremony.
Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota said Lenox had crafted a pair of commemorative vases for Biden and Harris, each weighing 32 pounds (14.5 kilograms).
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell gifted them with a pair of U.S. flags that were flown over the Capitol during the inauguration. McConnell noted that both Biden and Harris served in the Senate and "skipped the House altogether."
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Hoyer presented photos from Wednesday's ceremony.
Republican Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri noted that the Smithsonian had loaned a painting titled "Landscape with Rainbow" by a notable Black painter from around the time of the Civil War.