Oh My Heart

Last night, Vice-President Joe Biden presided over the Senate during a procedural vote on the 21st Century Cures Act, which includes funding for his Cancer Moonshot. During the session, the section of the legislation that provides the funding was named after his son Beau Biden, who died of brain cancer in May 2015.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell acknowledged Biden's loss, and his determination to fight the disease to which he lost his son: "He's known the cruel toll this disease can take. But he hasn't let it defeat him. He's chosen to fight back. He's taken a leading role. And the Senate will soon pass the 21st Century Cures Act as a testament to his tremendous effort."

He continued: "I think it's fitting to dedicate this bill's critical cancer initiative in honor of someone who'd be proud of the presiding officer today, and that's his son, Beau."

The vote was taken. McConnell asked that the resolution be agreed to. Biden responded solemnly: "Without objection."

It was a moving moment — a reminder of the shared humanity with which the Senate should be preoccupied, every day.

In times like this, I wonder why it is that, when we're capable of things like this, we so often choose to do something else.