House Democrats remain divided over how to handle President Biden’s reelection campaign after meeting closed-doors Tuesday morning, raising concerns about his viability as a nominee and his ability to do the job.
Lawmakers on the left were largely tight-lipped about what happened, telling reporters “no comment” as they left a meeting at the Democratic National Committee headquarters on Capitol Hill. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., avoided reporters by leaving through a separate entrance.
Other lawmakers who have publicly expressed concerns about Biden’s candidacy said they made similar comments during the meeting. Democrats who spoke to Fox News Digital said those discussions were “respectful.”
But they also acknowledged the rapidly approaching deadline for the entire caucus to either challenge Biden or endorse him as the candidate. The Democratic nominating convention will be held in Chicago in mid-August.
“I explained how I came to the decision to go public with my concerns, how I made numerous calls and tried behind the scenes to make my voice heard before I did so,” Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), one of six House Democrats calling on Biden to resign, told Fox News Digital.
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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries declined to speak to reporters after a meeting of House Democrats about President Biden. (Getty Images)
Moulton also said he “addressed some of the concerns that people have raised about what happens next.”
“I think we’ll either hand the baton to the vice president or have some kind of special primary,” Moulton said when asked to elaborate. “That will show the American people that we’re vigorous. We’re willing to make change. We’ll listen to people’s concerns and respond to them. And we’ll have a serious discussion within our party about the path forward. Republicans clearly don’t want to do that.”
When asked how his comments were received, he replied, “I would say that everyone who spoke on either side of this issue was received with respect.”
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“People were polite, no one booed or cheered, and I’m grateful that serious discussions were held behind closed doors,” Rep. Brittany Pettersen, a Colorado Democrat, said when asked about the disagreements.
Lloyd Doggett (Democrat, Texas), the first House Democrat to voice opposition to Biden, also spoke at the meeting. “I’ve had a lot of support for the position I’ve taken in my district. A lot of people have said to me, ‘Thank you for speaking out.'”
Other lawmakers were less willing to talk. “I don’t do this in the media because it doesn’t help,” Sen. Earl Blumener, a Democrat from Oregon, told reporters.
Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), who has spoken out against Biden, said Biden has support in his district. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
At least six more House Democrats contacted by Fox News Digital after the meeting either declined to comment or did not respond at all.
Rep. Greg Landsman (D-Ohio), who has voiced concerns about Biden, told reporters the president has “a lot of work to do” to convince Americans he is a worthy candidate.
Every lawmaker Fox News Digital spoke to said there was no agreement among House Democratic leadership on how to proceed.
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“It wasn’t about the deal, it was about listening,” said Rep. Lou Correa (D-Calif.), a strong Biden supporter.
He told Fox News Digital he had no complaints about people speaking out against Biden, explaining, “I wanted to hear them.”
“We’re still discussing the way forward, but if Joe Biden doesn’t step down, the nation will be united behind the president,” Pettersen told reporters.
“I think we had a lot of different perspectives and elements to highlight. There wasn’t one concise message,” she said.
Rep. Greg Landsman (D-Ohio), who has voiced concerns about Biden, told reporters that Biden has “a lot of work to do” to convince Americans that he is a worthy presidential candidate. (Getty)
Similarly, Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) said Monday morning that he would support Biden if he is ultimately declared the nominee in August.
Biden, meanwhile, has said he has no plans to step down and has repeatedly said he is the best person to take on former President Trump.
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But his dismal performance in a CNN debate late last month brought concerns about his age and mental fitness to the forefront.
Rep. Jim Costa, D-Calif., said the issue should be resolved “as quickly as possible.”
Asked about the timeline, Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) noted that Congress only reconvened on Monday evening.
“Obviously, everything has to end. [by August],” He said.
