It’s now been almost two weeks since President Joe Biden faced off against former President Donald Trump on the debate stage, and while he may still have support from Democratic governors, members of Congress are still meeting.
According to a report from USA Today, meetings on Capitol Hill were scheduled for Tuesday as Democratic lawmakers look to discuss a path forward.
“It’s a delicate moment. We’re still having a family conversation, so I’m not ready to be any more definitive than that,” Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA) said of the meetings on Monday. “[Tuesday] is an important part of that because our whole caucus would be together for the first time to talk about this.”
House Democrats were set to huddle at Democratic campaign headquarters at around 9 a.m. EST, according to the report, which cited a notice sent out to House members. The notice also said that cell phones would not be allowed in order to reduce any leaks.
Senate Democrats, who had canceled a reported Monday meeting, were set to convene at around lunchtime.
Experts are viewing both of the meetings as make-or-break for the president, who continues to maintain that he is staying in the race short of intervention from the “Lord Almighty.”
However, pressure on Biden to step back could increase if more lawmakers speak out against him. Already, around a dozen House Democrats have publicly called on him to hand over the reins to someone else.
As for Tuesday’s meetings, one House Democrat who spoke with USA Today anonymously said they expected a “lot of raw feelings” to be aired out.
“It’s going to be raucous,” they said.
As for the other chamber’s meeting, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), who is second-ranking among Senate Democrats, has been vocal since the debate, saying Monday that things have to be discussed.
“That’s the situation after the debate. We can’t ignore the reality. We have to settle this issue,” he said, adding that he still supports Biden as the nominee.
Biden attempted to cool heads on Monday as he issued a letter to Congressional Democrats saying, “The question of how to move forward has been well-aired for over a week now. And it’s time for it to end.”
“We have 42 days to the Democratic Convention and 119 days to the general election,” Biden said in the letter, distributed by his reelection campaign. “Any weakening of resolve or lack of clarity about the task ahead only helps Trump and hurts us. It’s time to come together, move forward as a unified party, and defeat Donald Trump.”
Still, Democrats continue to call on Biden to give a little more, as Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) said in a statement on Monday that Biden needed to “seriously consider” who he is preserving his legacy.
“I have a deep appreciation and strong respect for Joe, who has led a historic first term as President,” Murray said. “We need to see a much more forceful and energetic candidate on the campaign trail in the very near future in order for him to convince voters he is up to the job.”