WASHINGTON _ For many, their first day of work in Washington was dreary and puddle-filled, but in the Senate, there were no political parties for a brief moment.
During a full day of rain in the nation's capital, Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. returned to the Senate perhaps for the last time to swear in the 27 re-elected senators and seven newly elected ones.
Tables turned for Republicans, who had 12 freshmen senators at the 2015 swearing in, but this year there were just two: Indiana Sen. Todd Young and Louisiana Sen. John Neely Kennedy.
Democrats, who had only Michigan Sen. Gary Peters two years ago, welcomed five new senators: Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, Kamala Harris of California, Chris Van Hollen of Maryland and Maggie Hassan of New Hamphire.
To no one's surprise, Vermont Sen. Patrick J. Leahy was spotted carrying his camera around.
"Happy New Year!" Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said as he greeted photographers snapping his picture while walking onto the Senate floor.
Pennsylvania Republican Patrick J. Toomey, who won a tight race for re-election, sat in the chairman's seat to reconvene the Senate for what was the final pro-forma session of the 114th Congress.
"Where are you going?" Alabama Republican Richard Shelby asked members after that session was adjourned. Toomey jumped out of the chair to be greeted with a "Happy New Year!" from Colorado Republican Cory Gardner.
Five minutes later, Biden was in the chamber to begin swearing in members. The visitors balcony was packed with friends and family, as well as a few loudly crying babies.
Senators starting new terms lined up alphabetically and came down the center aisle in groups of four.
Cortez Masto was escorted by Republican Dean Heller and former minority leader Harry Reid, who returned with cane in hand for the ceremony. She received a standing ovation and hugged Heller, her new partner from the other side of the aisle.
Cory Booker of New Jersey and Joe Manchin of West Virginia arrived late and crossed the floor before the new group was called to get in their seats. Manchin then proceeded to greet other senators, on both sides, throughout the ceremony and rarely sat down.
Former vice presidential candidate Sen. Tim Kaine also arrived late. Another who couldn't stay in his seat was Minnesota Democrat Al Franken whose laugh was audible throughout the chamber as he spoke with Florida Republican Marco Rubio.
Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders was not present and because his Vermont colleague Leahy was re-elected last year and needed a symbolic escort down the aisle, California Democrat Dianne Feinstein of California filled in for him.
Maria Cantwell of Washington was also not present, and former Sen. Barbara Mikulski walked down Patty Murray, who also won her re-election this year.
Mikulski also escorted Van Hollen, her successor, with Maryland Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin.
"I'm back again!" Mikulski said to Biden after Van Hollen, who brought his own Bible, was sworn in.
"I'm glad you are," the vice president responded.
Indiana Republican Todd Young was escorted by his new colleague, Democrat Joe Donnelly, and former Sen. Richard Lugar. Sen. Dan Coats, who Young is succeeding, did not return for the ceremony.
Former presidential candidate Marco Rubio was sworn in because he won his re-election and was escorted by his Florida colleague Democrat Bill Nelson as well as Idaho Republican Jim Risch, who was supportive of his presidential run.
In his usual fashion, everyone received a hug from Biden and some of his former favorite colleagues, like South Carolina Republican Lindsey Graham, had a short chat with him.
"Take a moment to celebrate the rich tradition of the day," McConnell said to the new senators to wrap up the ceremony.
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