Dems Divided Over Biden's Future Amid Calls to Drop Out of Presidential Race

Following President Biden's recent challenges, House Democrats convened for a closed-door caucus meeting Tuesday morning outside the Capitol. The meeting, described as a "listening session" by Rep. Greg Meeks, included discussions about the path forward and calls for Mr. Biden to drop out of the 2024 presidential race.

While some lawmakers voiced concerns and made a case for a replacement, others, including Reps. Steny Hoyer, Hank Johnson, and Juan Vargas, signaled their support for the president as they entered and exited the meeting. Notably, long-time friend of the president, Rep. Jim Clyburn, expressed strong support, emphasizing, "We're riding with Biden."

Additionally, Rep. Jerry Nadler, who had previously suggested the president leave the race, affirmed his support for Mr. Biden, stating, "he's made clear that he's running, and to me that's dispositive — we have to support him."

Congressional Black Caucus Support

On Monday night, members of the Congressional Black Caucus rallied behind Mr. Biden after a call to discuss the election, providing a significant boost to the president.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries reiterated his unwavering support for President Biden, emphasizing that his position had not changed.

Senate Democrats' Meeting

Meanwhile, Senate Democrats convened for their weekly caucus lunch meeting on Tuesday. While some senators expressed the need for the president to demonstrate stronger campaign capabilities, others, such as Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Sen. Jon Ossoff, voiced confidence in Mr. Biden's ability to defeat Donald Trump in November.

Sen. Debbie Stabenow described the meeting as a "private family discussion," with Sen. Richard Blumenthal highlighting a consensus around defeating Trump in November, though no specific decision emerged.