People: Vice president’s office on hold as Biden still mourns loss of son
Vice President Joe Biden is facing the daunting decision of how and when to re-enter public life after burying his 46-year-old son, Beau Biden, whose death has put a somber pause on the vice president’s usually frenetic schedule.
As Biden mourns with his family in Delaware, Obama administration officials describe the vice president’s office as essentially in a holding pattern, with aides working to give Biden complete flexibility to grieve as he sees fit. Although Biden is being kept up to date and has participated in some official activities, aides used phrases like “uncharted path” and “touch and go” to describe the situation, in which the vice president is determining one day at a time how best to proceed.
After spending most of the last 11 days in Delaware, Biden returned to the White House on Wednesday for lunch with President Barack Obama and a meeting with the Ukrainian prime minister. Biden planned to head straight back to Wilmington in the evening. He also lost his wife and baby daughter decades ago at the dawn of his political career.
“This will continue to be a difficult time for the Biden family, and for all of those of us who care deeply for the vice president and his family,” said White House press secretary Josh Earnest, adding that it would surprise no one that Biden was deeply dedicated to his job. “We obviously are pleased that he was able to return today and be focused again on the many difficult policy challenges that he has assumed in his role.”
The vice president’s office declined to comment for this report. But officials familiar with Biden’s plans said he has not conveyed to staff when he plans to return to a normal schedule. They described a communal sense of mourning at the White House, where staffers are close to the vice president and many knew his son personally. They said that other top officials have eagerly stepped up to attend meetings or perform ceremonial functions normally left to Biden in an attempt to free the vice president to be with his family.
Injured woman sues Caitlyn Jenner
A woman who was injured in a February traffic collision is suing Caitlyn Jenner, formerly known as Bruce Jenner.
Jessica Steindorff filed the lawsuit Monday in Los Angeles, seeking unspecified damages. Her lawsuit uses both names for the 65-year-old Jenner, who publicly transitioned to Caitlyn after the crash.
Steindorff’s complaint does not detail her injuries or provide any new details about the February 7 crash. The collision killed a woman, Kim Howe, after the SUV Jenner was driving pushed her car into oncoming traffic.
Howe’s stepchildren have also sued Jenner, who is seeking a dismissal of their case.
The birthday bunch
Actor Gene Wilder is 82. Comedian Johnny Brown is 78. Rock musician Frank Beard (ZZ Top) is 66. Actor Hugh Laurie is 56. Country singer-songwriter Bruce Robison is 49. Rock musician Tai Anderson (Third Day) is 39. Actor Shia LaBeouf is 29.