Key Democrats Set to Discuss Biden's Future as Calls for Presidential Departure Mount
ICARO Media Group
In response to growing concerns about President Joe Biden's electability and potential repercussions on down-ballot races, key House and Senate Democrats are planning meetings to discuss the trajectory of the Biden administration.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., is reportedly convening a virtual meeting with Democratic committee ranking members on Sunday, according to three sources familiar with the matter. One of the sources mentioned that the meeting will specifically focus on President Biden, who has faced calls to step aside as the party's nominee following a devastating debate performance last week.
Meanwhile, Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., is organizing a gathering of Democratic senators next week. Four sources confirmed that the meeting aims to address concerns about Biden's electability and the potential impact on House and Senate down-ballot races.
While two House Democrats have publicly called for Biden to drop out of the 2024 race, and others have privately echoed these sentiments, senators have refrained from publicly criticizing Biden's future so far.
Details about the upcoming meetings remain limited, as neither Warner nor Jeffries have commented on their respective gatherings. The House committee leaders' meeting, scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sunday, is not part of any regular ranking members' gathering. This meeting takes place a day before House lawmakers are set to return from the Fourth of July recess.
During a recent appearance on MSNBC, Jeffries described Biden's debate performance as "underwhelming" and a "setback." However, he also expressed belief in the potential for a "comeback" for the president. Following this, Jeffries has maintained relative silence about Biden in recent days and there has been limited information leaked from his conference call with top House Democratic leaders before the July 4 holiday.
Congressional members have been away from Washington on recess since before Biden's debate with former President Donald Trump. Both chambers are scheduled to reconvene on Monday evening.
President Biden and the White House remain steadfast in their commitment to his candidacy. During a rally in Wisconsin on Friday, Biden assured his supporters of his determination to stay in the race and defeat Trump in November.
A Biden campaign aide, when reached for comment on the planned meeting organized by Warner, referred to the president's rally in Wisconsin and his staunch affirmation of remaining in the race.
As the political landscape evolves, these meetings by key Democrats signal the growing discourse within the party over Biden's future as the nominee and the potential implications for the upcoming elections.