Democrats Hold Urgent Call Over Biden’s Health
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has scheduled a virtual meeting for Sunday afternoon with key committee Democrats amidst mounting concerns over President Joe Biden’s electoral prospects.
According to a House Democratic official familiar with the arrangement, the meeting has been confirmed with Bloomberg, although the specific agenda has not been disclosed by the New York congressman.
Jeffries’ decision to convene the meeting on Friday underscores the rising unease within Democratic ranks, particularly following Biden’s lackluster performance in the June 27 debate against former President Donald Trump. Despite his ongoing support for Biden, Jeffries has reportedly been fielding concerns from fellow lawmakers regarding the president’s political viability.
A number of House Democrats, including Representatives Lloyd Doggett of Texas, Raúl Grijalva of Arizona, Seth Moulton of Massachusetts, Mike Quigley of Illinois, and Angie Craig of Minnesota, have already publicly urged Biden to reconsider his candidacy, as reported by Axios.
Meanwhile, Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Mark Warner and other prominent Democrats are also contemplating a meeting with Biden, coinciding with Jeffries’ scheduled session. This meeting is set to occur just before the House reconvenes for its first session following the Biden-Trump debate.
Representative Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, who recently proposed a “mini primary” in case Biden withdraws, was slated to discuss the president on CBS News’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday, but has since canceled his appearance, as announced by the network on Saturday.
In an interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos on Friday, Biden reiterated his commitment to staying in the race. However, earlier in the week, an unnamed Democratic senator informed Bloomberg that a growing consensus among colleagues suggests skepticism about Biden’s ability to overcome Trump in the upcoming election.
The developments underscore the increasing internal debate within the Democratic Party as it navigates Biden’s candidacy amidst challenging political dynamics.
