'[D]on't tell me about Christmas. ... I have been a senator for a long time,' Joe Biden said. Biden: 'I understand Christmas'

Vice President Joe Biden has no sympathy for senators who haven't yet hit the malls.

In an interview on NBC airing Thursday, Biden called on Senate Republicans to ratify the New START this month and blasted lawmakers who have cited Christmas as a reason to postpone.


"[D]on't tell me about Christmas," Biden said. "I understand Christmas. I have been a senator for a long time."

Biden noted there are 10 shopping days until Christmas. "I hope I don't get in the way of your Christmas shopping, but this is the nation's business," he said. "This is the national security that's at stake. Act."

Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) said Tuesday that getting START through the Senate would "disrespect" senators, staffers and their families by working up until Christmas. Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) on Wednesday told POLITICO that a vote as late as Christmas Eve was "sacrilegious."