As Congress prepares for a new president, Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK) exhibited bipartisanship during the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Tuesday when he let his successor run the meeting.

Sen. Inhofe opened the hearing by acknowledging that Republicans had lost total control of the Senate and that he would no longer chair the committee.

“It seems as if the Republican Party lost the majority in the last election.” Inhofe said. “Therefore I will cease to be, in a couple of days, the chairman of the meeting.”

Inhofe said he would allow Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the incoming chairman, to run the meeting.

“I’m going to have Jack Reed be the chairman today so he can practice a little bit.” Inhofe said.

Sen. Reed responded with gratitude, but recognized the move was only a gesture and not official.

“Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, and I indeed do need the practice.” Reed said. “Let me be very clear, Chairman Inhofe is the chairman.”

Watch the video here

Cox Media Group