TV Article Law and Order: SVU books VP Joe Biden By Natalie Abrams Natalie Abrams Senior Writer EW's editorial guidelines Published on July 28, 2016 12:00PM EDT Photo: ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images Vice President Joe Biden will guest-star on an upcoming episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, EW has learned. The VP will appear as himself during a press conference scene, where he commends the SVU, led by Lieutenant Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay), for their work in addressing the national rape kit backlog, specifically in the city of Detroit. The topic mirrors the real life efforts of Biden and Hargitay, who both spoke out about the national backlog of untested rape kits and the culture of violence and sexual assault against women during the United State of Women Summit at the White House in June. Biden was also honored by Hargitay’s Joyful Heart Foundation last May for his commitment to ending domestic violence. The casting marks Biden’s return to NBC on series television, previously appearing as himself in multiple episodes of the Amy Poehler comedy Parks and Recreation. Law & Order: SVU will return Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 9 p.m. ET on NBC.