Congress Democrat leaders privately told Biden to step aside

U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, in separate private meetings with President Joe Biden last week, told him that his continued candidacy imperils the Democratic Party’s ability to control either chamber of Congress next year, the Washington Post reports, citing sources. According to four people briefed on the meetings who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe the private talks, the congressional leaders discussed their members’ concerns that Biden could deprive them of majorities, giving Republicans a much easier path to push through legislation, the report adds. White House spokesman Andrew Bates said Biden told Schumer and Jeffries in their private meetings that he would remain in the race. “The President told both leaders he is the nominee of the party, he plans to win, and looks forward to working with both of them to pass his 100 days agenda to help working families,” Bates said in a statement.According to CNN, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi privately told President Joe Biden in a recent conversation that polling shows that the president cannot defeat Donald Trump and that Biden could destroy Democrats’ chances of winning the House in November if he continues seeking a second term. According to sources briefed on the call, the president responded by pushing back, telling Pelosi he has seen polls that indicate he can win. Following his bad performance at the debate against Donald Trump in June, there have been calls from donors and elected Democrats for the 81-year-old Biden to step down. In an interview with BET News, Biden said he would drop out of the 2024 presidential race if doctors told him he was dealing with a serious medical issue. Meanwhile, Biden tested positive for Covid-19 on July 17, but he only has mild symptoms.