Current:Home > BackBiden’s support on Capitol Hill hangs in the balance as Democrats meet in private-LoTradeCoin
Biden’s support on Capitol Hill hangs in the balance as Democrats meet in private
View Date:2024-12-24 00:00:44
WASHINGTON (AP) —
Democrats on Capitol Hill met privately Tuesday at a crucial moment for President Joe Biden and their party, with tensions running high over the extraordinary question of whether to keep up support or urge him to step aside in light of health concerns.
Democratic House members met at party headquarters - no cellphones, no leaks — for what party leaders billed as just a “family” discussion. But one Democrat in the room said the mood was “dour” as congressmen discussed their party leader, who emphatically refuses to bow out and implored them in a sharply worded letter to refocus from him to the threat posed by Republican Donald Trump.
Emerging from the closed-door meeting, Biden’s supporters were the most vocal, and one key Democrat reversed course to support the president. But as Senate Democrats prepared to meet next, Biden’s political future was the remarkable matter in question.
“He said he’s going to remain in, he’s our candidate, and we’re going to support him,” said Rep. Jerry Nadler of New York, the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, who over the weekend was among those privately saying Biden needed to step aside.
But dissent runs strong among many Democrats who worry that not only is the presidency in jeopardy but also their own down-ballot races for control of the House and Senate.
What to know about the 2024 Election
- Democracy: American democracy has overcome big stress tests since 2020. More challenges lie ahead in 2024.
- AP’s Role: The Associated Press is the most trusted source of information on election night, with a history of accuracy dating to 1848. Learn more.
- Read the latest: Follow AP’s live coverage of this year’s election.
Rep. Steven Cohen, D-Tenn., was asked if Democrats were on the same page after the nearly two-hour session and responded, “We are not even in the same book.”
“He just has to step down because he can’t win,” said Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Ill.
Quigley said, “The fighting spirit and pride and courage that served the country so well four years ago, that helped Joe Biden win, will bring the ticket down this time.”
It’s a remarkable moment for the president and his party with Democrats in Congress seriously questioning Biden’s place at the top of the ticket, weeks before the Democratic National Convention to nominate him for a second term.
In the private House meeting Tuesday, there was a growing concern that Biden remaining in the race means that the election will center around his age issues instead of Trump, according to the person in the room.
Democrats also worry that Biden can’t be replaced because he’s so dug in and because of potential legal issues surrounding replacing a candidate so close to the election.
Republicans face their own history-making political situation, poised to nominate a former president who is the first ever to be convicted of a felony — in a hush money case — and who faces federal criminal indictments, including the effort to overturn the 2020 election he lost to Biden.
Senate Democrats, too, were meeting Tuesday as leaders, including Sen. Patty Murray of Washington state, say Biden needs to show Americans he can capably run for reelection at this critical moment for the country.
While at least six House Democrats have publicly called on Biden to end his candidacy, Senate Democrats have held their concerns closer to the vest. No Senate Democrat has publicly called for Biden to step side.
After a slow initial response to Biden’s dismal debate, the White House and campaign team are working more furiously now to end the drama in part by gathering the president’s most loyal supporters to speak out.
The president met virtually late Monday with the Congressional Black Caucus, whose members are core to Biden’s coalition, thanking them for having his back, and assuring them he would have theirs in a second term. He was also to meet with the Congressional Progressive Caucus and Congressional Hispanic Caucus, whose leaders have said publicly they are sticking with the president.
And other lawmakers, including Rep, Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said that the entire party caucus is united behind Biden as their nominee.
__
Associated Press writer Kevin Freking contributed to this report.
veryGood! (42)
Related
- Kathy Bates likes 'not having breasts' after her cancer battle: 'They were like 10 pounds'
- Patrick Mahomes at Super Bowl Opening Night: I'd play basketball just like Steph Curry
- How to get tickets for the World Cup 2026 final at MetLife Stadium and more key details for the FIFA game
- Less rain forecast but historic Southern California storm still threatens flooding and landslides
- Up to 20 human skulls found in man's discarded bags, home in New Mexico
- Prince Harry to visit King Charles following his father's cancer diagnosis
- Meta will start labeling AI-generated images on Instagram and Facebook
- Celine Dion makes rare appearance at Grammys after stiff-person syndrome diagnosis, presenting award to Taylor Swift
- NASCAR Championship race live updates, how to watch: Cup title on the line at Phoenix
- NFL doubles down on 'integrity' with Super Bowl at the epicenter of gambling industry
Ranking
- Family of security guard shot and killed at Portland, Oregon, hospital sues facility for $35M
- Brother of dead suspect in fires at Boston-area Jewish institutions is ordered held
- Tesla, Toyota, PACCAR among nearly 2.4 million vehicles recalled: Check car recalls here
- South Dakota food tax debate briefly resurfaces, then sinks
- Georgia House Democrats shift toward new leaders after limited election gains
- Texas mother, infant son die in house fire after she saves her two other children
- Illinois man gets 5 years for trying to burn down planned abortion clinic
- Officials tout Super Bowl plans to crimp counterfeiting, ground drones, curb human trafficking
Recommendation
-
Rare Alo Yoga Flash Sale: Don’t Miss 60% Off Deals With Styles as Low as $5
-
Indiana community mourns 6 siblings killed in house fire
-
Better equipment and communications are among Maui police recommendations after Lahaina wildfire
-
See Cole and Dylan Sprouse’s Twinning Double Date With Ari Fournier and Barbara Palvin
-
Jack Del Rio leaving Wisconsin’s staff after arrest on charge of operating vehicle while intoxicated
-
Meet the newscaster in drag making LGBTQ+ history in Mexican television
-
Kelsea Ballerini Speaks Out After Her Candid Reaction to Grammys Loss Goes Viral
-
Apple TV+ special 'Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin' flips a script 50-years deep: What to know