Politico

By Marianne Levine

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, the top Democrat on the Senate Rules Committee, said Wednesday's inauguration was the day "our democracy picks itself up."

In a speech ahead of President-elect Joe Biden's swearing in, Klobuchar said the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection "awakened" Americans to their responsibilities.

"This ceremony is the culmination of 244 years of a democracy," the Minnesota Democrat and former presidential contender said. "It is the moment when leaders brought to this stage by the will of the people promise to be faithful to our Constitution, to cherish it and defend it."

In addition to honoring Biden, Klobuchar marked the historical inauguration of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, the daughter of Indiain and Jamaican immigrants.

"When she takes the oath of office, little girls and boys across the world will know that anything and everything is possible," Klobuchar said.