Biden Is 47th Vice President

Longtime Del. senator sworn in at inauguration

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 20, 2009 10:59 AM CST

(Newser) – Joe Biden has assumed the office of vice president of the United States, the Washington Post reports. On the steps of the Capitol, Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens swore in the longtime Delaware senator, who vowed to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.” Biden becomes the 47th vice president, the first Catholic to hold the post.

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Joe Biden has been sworn in as vice president of the United States. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Vice President-elect Joe Biden, with his wife Jill at his side, takes the oath of office from Justice John Paul Stevens, as his wife holds the Bible at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Vice President Joe Biden waves after being sworn in at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009. At left is his wife, Jill. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

Vice President Joseph R. Biden is greeted by President-elect Barack Obama after being sworn in during the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America on the West... (AP Photo/Mark Wilson, Pool)

Vice President-elect Joe Biden reacts as he arrives at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, for swearing-in ceremonies. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

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Biden Is 47th Vice President