Jimmy Carter funeral updates: Harris delivers eulogy at Capitol ceremony

Carter will lie in state at the Capitol from Tuesday to Thursday.

Last Updated: January 7, 2025, 5:46 PM EST

Members of Congress, the Supreme Court and other dignitaries gathered at the U.S. Capitol for a lying-in-state ceremony for former President Jimmy Carter.

Vice President Kamala Harris delivered one of the eulogies for Carter, who died on Dec. 29 at the age of 100.

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Jan 07, 2025, 5:32 PM EST

'Always willing to roll up his sleeves to get the job done,' House Speaker Mike Johnson

House Speaker Mike Johnson also commended Carter's commitment to service in his eulogy.

Johnson, who remarked he was 4 years old when Carter was sworn in, said the former president was someone who was humble and captured the imagination of the nation.

House Speaker Mike Johnson speaks during a ceremony for former President Jimmy Carter as Carter lies in state at the U.S. Capitol, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
J. Scott Applewhite, Pool via Reuters

He touted his work with Habitat for Humanity and said Carter was "always willing to roll up his sleeves to get the job done."

"It's remarkable to think that one of the 45 men who has served as president and one of 13 who held the role in the nuclear age would humble himself to such service," Johnson said.

Jan 07, 2025, 5:20 PM EST

'Making the lives of his fellow man better'

New Senator Majority Leader John Thune highlighted former President Jimmy Carter’s work in his 44 years of post-presidency.

U.S. Military Body Bearers carry the casket bearing the remains of former President Jimmy Carter into the Capitol Rotunda during a memorial service at the U.S. Capitol, on January 07, 2025, in Washington, DC.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Carter dedicated his time to Habitat for Humanity in his effort to provide affordable housing for those in need.

"Jimmy Carter knew that his status as a former president could bring attention to good causes. That’s why he encouraged Habitat to make use of his name and image," Thune said. "But simply lending his name or maybe attending a gala or two wasn’t Jimmy Carter’s style. He was here to get down in the weeds and the dirt, and he did that literally, on numerous Habitat builds."

Carter could even be found on a construction site with a hard hat well into his 90s, Thune noted.

Carter "focused on making the lives of his fellow man better," he said.

Jan 07, 2025, 5:06 PM EST

Service to begin at Capitol

Former President Jimmy Carter’s casket has been placed on the Lincoln catafalque in the Rotunda, a stand that has been used for most memorial services at the Capitol, dating back to President Abraham Lincoln.

A service for the 39th president will begin momentarily.

Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Supreme Court justices, members of Congress and ambassadors are among the dignitaries in attendance.

Jan 07, 2025, 4:55 PM EST

House cancels Wednesday votes

The House canceled Wednesday votes in observance of former President Jimmy Carter lying in state at the Capitol.

People watch as the casket containing the remains of former President Jimmy Carter passes as it moves toward the U.S. Capitol on a horse-drawn caisson on January 7, 2025, in Washington, DC.
Susan Walsh, Pool via Getty Images

People watch as casket of former President Jimmy Carter passes on a horse-drawn caisson on Pennsylvania Avenue on January 7, 2025, in Washington, DC.
Susan Walsh - Pool via Getty Images

The 39th president will lie in state at the Capitol from Tuesday evening to Thursday morning for the public to pay respects.

The next votes in the House will be Thursday at 11:45 a.m., according to Majority Leader Steve Scalise.

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