WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. President Joe Biden faces increasing pressure regarding his bid for re-election as Democratic lawmakers held a crisis call on Sunday, July 7, to discuss his viability as a candidate.
The meeting, scheduled amid growing concerns over the political futures of Democratic lawmakers, saw at least five members of the party urging Biden, 81, to step aside. Reports indicate that most participants agreed Vice President Kamala Harris, 59, should be the nominee instead.
Prominent figures such as Judiciary Ranking Member Jerry Nadler and House Veterans' Affairs Committee Ranking Member Mark Takano were among those advocating for Biden to end his White House bid. Reps. Don Beyer, Adam Smith, and Joseph Morelle, the top Democrat on the House Administration Committee, also voiced their belief that Biden’s candidacy is no longer tenable.
The call was arranged by Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries as caucus members prepare to return to Washington, D.C., after the July 4 holiday break. One House Democrat commented, “The sh*t is going to hit the fan on Monday when Congress returns. People are scared about their own races. But they're also worried about the country, and about democracy.”
In parallel, Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) is organizing a group of Senate Democrats to discuss Biden's future, pushing to meet on Monday evening.
The crisis call follows comments from Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) on NBC’s "Meet the Press," where he expressed doubts about Biden’s ability to effectively challenge Donald Trump. “The performance on the debate stage, I think, rightfully raised questions among the American people about whether the president has the vigour to defeat Donald Trump. And this is an existential race,” Schiff said.
Schiff emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “He should be mopping the floor with Donald Trump. Joe Biden is running against a criminal. It should not be even close. And there is only one reason why it is close – and that's the president's age.”
He advised Biden to seek counsel from trusted advisors and impartial pollsters to make an informed decision about his campaign. “Take a moment to make the best-informed judgment. And if the judgment is run – then run and beat that SOB,” Schiff concluded.
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