Following a crucial meeting at the White House on February 27, 2024, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries addressed the press about efforts to secure government funding and prevent a shutdown in Washington D.C. Discussions also centered around the Democratic caucus’s plans moving forward, particularly regarding Joe Biden’s candidacy as the party’s nominee.
Jeffries, representing New York, had previously indicated his intention to gauge Democratic sentiment on maintaining Biden as the nominee. This followed Biden’s assertion, during a rare news conference, of his commitment to continue his presidential campaign against Republican nominee Donald Trump.
The discussions continued with Biden engaging members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and planning further outreach to lawmakers, including the New Democratic Coalition, known for its moderate stance.
Joe Biden
Jeffries, in a letter to the caucus, emphasized conveying the caucus’s collective perspectives and conclusions during his meeting with Biden, highlighting the gravity of the decisions being weighed amid national concerns over democracy, freedom, and economic stability.
The urgency of the situation was underscored by the timing of Biden’s return from the NATO summit, with his meeting with Jeffries occurring late Thursday night. This timeline reflected the pressing nature of political deliberations among House Democrats.
Responding to inquiries about the meeting, a Biden campaign aide described the conversation as substantive and reflective of the president’s ongoing dialogues with various political stakeholders across the country. Jeffries reaffirmed the caucus’s commitment to serving American interests, expressing gratitude for Biden’s leadership during this critical juncture.
As of Friday morning, a notable minority of House Democrats and a single senator publicly advocated for Biden’s withdrawal from the race, signaling a broader internal debate within the party about its electoral strategy and leadership heading into the upcoming election cycle.
