Mike Pence praises John McCain's 'iron will' in speech at Capitol ceremony

Vice President Mike Pence offered his condolences to Sen. John McCain's family while speaking at a ceremony in the late senator's honor on Friday.

McCain, who died last week, is lying in state at the Capitol Rotunda, only the 31st person to ever do so. Pence spoke on behalf of the Trump administration, reports The New York Times.

Even though President Trump was not invited to attend any of McCain's memorial services, Pence mentioned him at the outset of his remarks. "The president asked me to be here on behalf of a grateful nation," he said, "to pay a debt of honor and respect to a man who served his country throughout his life."

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Pence praised McCain for his dedication to the nation, and smiled as he recalled a time when McCain demonstrated his tireless work ethic during a joint trip abroad. He said he was "humbled" to speak at the service, and lauded the senator's "iron will." The vice president mentioned Trump a second time, remarking that "as President Trump said yesterday, we respect his service to the country." Trump has offered only sparse praise of the senator, with whom he often feuded.

Pence finished his speech by reading a stanza from one of McCain's favorite hymns, and thanking the senator for "serving his country honorably." Watch his full remarks below, via Fox News. Summer Meza