State Dept. condemns arrests, repression in Russia

Biden delivered short but emotional farewell remarks in a send-off event in Wilmington, Delaware, on Tuesday afternoon, and wiped away tears as he wished his adopted state -- which first elected him to U.S. Senate at the age of 29 -- goodbye.

Apologizing for his emotions, Biden said he'll always be "a proud son of the state of Delaware."

"Excuse the emotion, but when I die, Delaware will be written on my heart," Biden said, choking up.

Biden also recalled a story he often shared on the trail, noting the historic nature of his time as vice president, serving alongside the nation's first Black president and now being a part of another historic feat, being inaugurated with the country's first Black female vice president, saying, "That's America," to applause.

In another emotional moment, Biden said his only regret was that his late son, Beau Biden, wasn't there with them. The location Biden spoke at, the Joseph R. "Beau" Biden III National Guard/Reserve Center, was named for his son, who died of brain cancer in 2015.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I only have one regret, that he's not here, because we should be introducing him as president," Biden said.

Beau was 46 when he died, and Biden is hours away from being sworn in as the 46th president of the United States.

"I know these are dark times, but there's always light. That's what makes this state so special. That's what it taught me, it taught me the most -- there's always light," Biden told the small crowd of supporters.

Before he spoke, he gave a masked kiss on the cheek to his sister, Valerie Biden-Owens, who he has often described as his best friend, and during his remarks referenced all of the Biden family members who were in the crowd, including his son Hunter Biden, his wife Melissa, their young child, and Biden's grandchildren: Naomi, Finnegan, Maisy, Natalie and Hunter.

-ABC News' Molly Nagle

Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has certified the results of the Jan. 5 runoff election, according to a press release. 

The certificates of election must now be signed and issued by Gov. Brian Kemp. A representative for Kemp must then physically deliver those certificates for Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff's victories to the secretary of the Senate, per Senate rules, triggering the swearing-in process.

On Wednesday after her own swearing in, then-Vice President Kamala Harris will swear-in Warnock and Ossoff, as well as the successor to her California Senate seat, former California Secretary of State Alex Padilla, according to a Harris aide.

Once the certificates are delivered and all are sworn in, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer will be handed the reins as majority leader.

-ABC News' Quinn Scanlan and Averi Harper

Outgoing Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, in what could be his last floor speech as majority leader, placed blame on Trump for inciting the mob of rioters who attacked the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.

"The mob was fed lies. They were provoked by the president and other powerful people," McConnell said from the Senate floor Tuesday.

His remarks come six days after the Democratic-led House impeached Trump on one charge of "incitement of insurrection" and after McConnell indicated he was weighing whether to vote to convict Trump.

McConnell also affirmed that Biden and Harris will be sworn into office Wednesday and urged a bipartisan path forward.

"Americans elected a closely divided Senate, a closely divided House and a presidential candidate who said he'd represent everyone. So our marching orders from the American people are clear," McConnell said.
-ABC News' Allison Pecorin

After his final night at home before his inauguration as the 46th president of the United States, Biden is wishing Wilmington, Delaware, farewell in afternoon remarks at a "send-off event" before he heads to Washington, D.C., Tuesday afternoon.

Biden will no longer be taking an Amtrak trip from Wilmington to Washington, as he was accustomed to doing as Delaware senator, due to security concerns.